genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration

English

Alternative forms

• genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration

Etymology

Attributed to Thomas Edison.

Proverb

genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration

1. A genius depends more on hard work than imagination.
   • 2003, Lagoon Books, How to Be a Huge Success, →ISBN:

     The whole thing is to keep working and pretty soon they'll think you're good. Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.

   • 2006, John Kundert-Gibbs, Peter Lee, Dariush Derakhshani, Maya 5 Savvy, →ISBN, page 34:

     In the adage that says “genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration,” this is the all important one percent.

   • 2015, Christine A. Hult, The Handy English Grammar Answer Book, →ISBN:

     His life mirrored his words: “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.”

   • 26 December 2016, Matthew Dun, “Chelsea stars shed light on Antonio Conte's genius as they bid to continue winning streak”, in Daily Express (UK):

     Certainly he has shown himself to be one step cleverer than inventor Thomas Edison with the simple philosophy he has brought to Stamford Bridge, very much in line with the famous quote, “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.”

   • March 2, 2017, John Wright, “Column: The Power of Persistence”, in Parker Life:

     Thomas Edison famously said that “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.” What that means is “inspired” ideas may come and go, but to make them function is a lot of hard work

References

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