Genius still means to me, in my Russian, fastidiousness and pride of phrase, a unique dazzling gift. The gift of James Joyce, and not the talent of Henry James.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author defines genius as fastidious care for words and a unique gift rather than mere talent.
- In plain terms
- Genius is care for words and a unique gift not just skill.
- What can you take from it?
- True genius involves obsessive precision and unique vision over raw ability.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is genius about speed or precision?
- How do you define true talent?
Another view
This view may overlook natural ease or collaborative contributions to art.
More from Vladimir Nabokov
Lolita is famous, not I. I am an obscure, doubly obscure, novelist with an unpronounceable name.
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