Pastoral Resources

It requires genius to make a good pun - some men of bright parts can't reach it.

Talent is what you possess; genius is what possesses you.

In Goodfellas they have this one scene where the camera goes down some steps and walks through a kitchen into a restaurant and the critics were all over this as evidence of the genius of Scorsese and Scorsese is a genius.

The poverty from which I have suffered could be diagnosed as 'Soho' poverty. It comes from having the airs and graces of a genius and no talent.

Genius, like truth, has a shabby and neglected mien.

Few people can see genius in someone who has offended them.

Talent does whatever it wants to do. Genius does only what it can.

What moves those of genius, what inspires their work is not new ideas, but their obsession with the idea that what has already been said is still not enough.

Nor ought a genius less than his that writ attempt translation.

The general interest of the masses might take the place of the insight of genius if it were allowed freedom of action.

Evil always turns up in this world through some genius or other.

Gaiety is a quality of ordinary men. Genius always presupposes some disorder in the machine.

Genius is present in every age, but the men carrying it within them remain benumbed unless extraordinary events occur to heat up and melt the mass so that it flows forth.

Which is why, in my lieder concerts, I always strove, when possible, to sing only the works of a single composer, so that the audience could be gradually drawn into a particular creative genius' way of thinking, and could follow him.

Desperation is sometimes as powerful an inspirer as genius.

Mediocrity can talk, but it is for genius to observe.

Genius, when young, is divine.

Every production of genius must be the production of enthusiasm.

Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius.

Time, place, and action may with pains be wrought, but genius must be born; and never can be taught.