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About this quote

What does it mean?
Success depends more on hard work than on natural talent or inspiration.
In plain terms
Hard work is far more important than just having a good idea.
What can you take from it?
Dedication and effort drive success more than talent alone.

Where it applies

  • career development
  • creative work
  • learning

Putting it to work

  • commit to practice
  • focus on execution
  • persist daily

Questions to consider

  • What are you working hard on?
  • Do you rely more on talent or work?

Another view

Inspiration can still spark important breakthroughs.

More from Thomas Alva Edison

  1. As quoted in 'Wizard Edison' in The Newark Advocate (2 January 1903), p. 1 according to reasearch by Barbara and David P. Mikkelson at snopes.com

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  2. Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits.

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  3. The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instruct his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of diseas…

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