Milton, Madam, was a genius that could cut a Colossus from a rock; but could not carve heads upon cherry-stones.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Great minds can conceive massive works but struggle with minute details.
- In plain terms
- Genius works big ideas but fails at small tasks.
- What can you take from it?
- Use specialists for detailed work.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Where is your talent strongest?
- Who handles the details for you?
Another view
Some people can handle both big and small tasks well.
More from Samuel Johnson
It is as bad as bad can be: it is ill-fed, ill-killed, ill-kept, and ill-drest.
Permalink to quote #197 Sir, I have found you an argument; but I am not obliged to find you an understanding.
Permalink to quote #199 It might as well be said, 'Who drives fat oxen should himself be fat.'
Permalink to quote #196
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