A Quote by Dorothy Parker

Genius can write on the back of old envelopes but mere talent requires the finest stationery available. — © Dorothy Parker
Genius can write on the back of old envelopes but mere talent requires the finest stationery available.
Talent warms-up the given (as they say in cookery) and makes it apparent; genius brings something new. But our time lets talent pass for genius. They want to abolish the genius, deify the genius, and let talent forge ahead.
Marriage requires a special talent, like acting. Monogamy requires genius.
Genius is talent provided with ideals. Genius starves while talent wears purple and fine linen. The man of genius of today will infifty years' time be in most cases no more than a man of talent.
It requires more than mere genius to be an author.
For profits think, "We've got to find that finest talent available, pay them what they're worth, and put them into their daily solutions. " Apply the Who to the What.
The difference between talent and genius is in the direction of the current: in genius, it is from within outward; in talent from without inward.
Talent is full of thoughts, Genius is thought. Talent is a cistern, Genius a fountain.
Conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long; even if it is, the consciousness of possessing and using it well should satisfy one, and the great charm of all power is modesty.
You have a good many little gifts and virtues, but there is no need of parading them, for conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long, and the great charm of all power is modesty.
Talent wears well, genius wears itself out; talent drives a snug brougham in fact; genius, a sun-chariot in fancy.
I like to jot down ideas on the back of envelopes and to recognise the potential value in small things. I also like the freedom to think without feeling compelled to write too early. Stories are often better if we can hold back and get to know the characters and the sounds of language.
I have no talent for making new friends, but oh such genius for fidelity to old ones.
the distinction between talent and genius is definite. Talent combines and uses; genius combines and creates.
I think all writers have a bit of genius in them, and a bit of talent. Genius retreats but talent improves.
Realism to be effective must be a matter of selection.genius chooses its materials with a view to their beauty and effectiveness; mere talent copies what it thinks is nature, only to find it has been deceived by the external grossness of things.
It is not because the touch of genius has roused genius to production, but because the admiration of genius has made talent ambitious, that the harvest is still so abundant.
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