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About this quote

What does it mean?
Genius starts projects but hard work finishes them.
In plain terms
Hard work is necessary to complete what genius begins.
What can you take from it?
Rely on diligence to finish creative work.

Where it applies

  • work
  • creative projects
  • management

Putting it to work

  • finish what you start
  • apply consistent effort

Questions to consider

  • What completes a great idea?
  • Is work more important than genius?

Another view

Some ideas may not be worth finishing regardless of labor.

More from Joseph Joubert

  1. Drawing is speaking to the eye; talking is painting to the ear.

    Permalink to quote #14
  2. Genius is the ability to see things invisible, to manipulate things intangible, to paint things that have no features.

    Permalink to quote #16
  3. Does talent have any need of passions? Yes, of many passions- repressed.

    Permalink to quote #13

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