Good sense travels on the well-worn paths; genius, never. And that is why the crowd, not altogether without reason, is so ready to treat great men as lunatics.
GeniusConformityCrowdPerceptionSocietyUnderstandingUniqueness
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Genius follows unique paths unlike common sense, causing the public to mistake great men for lunatics.
- In plain terms
- Great minds take unusual paths so people often think they are crazy.
- What can you take from it?
- Expect misunderstanding when pursuing unique ideas.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you handle being misunderstood?
- Does society fear what it does not understand?
Another view
Some unconventional behavior genuinely warrants concern or correction.
More from Cesare Lombroso
Genius is one of the many forms of insanity.
Permalink to quote #4 The ignorant man always adores what he cannot understand.
Permalink to quote #6 'Lawsuit mania'...a continual craving to go to law against others, while considering themselves the injured party.
Permalink to quote #3
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