genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration

alternative genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration

1. A genius depends more on hard work than imagination.

   His life mirrored his words: “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.”

   2015, Christine A. Hult, The Handy English Grammar Answer Book, →ISBN

   4 more examples

   The whole thing is to keep working and pretty soon they'll think you're good. Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.

   2003, Lagoon Books, How to Be a Huge Success, →ISBN

   In the adage that says “genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration,” this is the all important one percent.

   2006, John Kundert-Gibbs, Peter Lee, Dariush Derakhshani, Maya 5 Savvy, →ISBN, page 34

   Certainly he has shown himself to be one step cleverer than inventor Thomas Edison with the simple philosophy he has brought to Stamford Bridge, very much in line with the famous quote, “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.”

   26 December 2016, Matthew Dun, “Chelsea stars shed light on Antonio Conte's genius as they bid to continue winning streak”, in Daily Express (UK)

   Thomas Edison famously said that “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.” What that means is “inspired” ideas may come and go, but to make them function is a lot of hard work

   March 2, 2017, John Wright, “Column: The Power of Persistence”, in Parker Life