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About this quote

What does it mean?
Hamilton attributes his work to deep study and labor rather than natural genius.
In plain terms
Hard work and deep study create what looks like genius.
What can you take from it?
Success comes from labor and thought, not just talent.

Where it applies

  • learning
  • career development
  • creative work

Putting it to work

  • study deeply
  • embrace hard work

Questions to consider

  • Is talent more important than work?
  • How do you develop mastery?

Another view

Some tasks still rely heavily on innate talent or luck.

More from Alexander Hamilton

  1. Learn to think continentally.

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  2. Men often oppose a thing merely because they have had no agency in planning it, or because it may have been planned by those whom they dislike.

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  3. Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in t…

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