--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Towering genius disdains a beaten path…" description: "\"Towering genius disdains a beaten path ... It scorns to tread in the footsteps of any predecessor, however illustrious. It thirsts for distinction.\" — ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f2/abraham-lincoln-88_beaten_towering-genius-disdains-a-beaten-path-i_1435312.png" --- # Towering genius disdains a beaten path ... It scorns to… ![“Towering genius disdains a beaten path ... It scorns to tread in the footsteps of any predecessor, however illustrious. It thirsts for distinction.” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f2/abraham-lincoln-88_beaten_towering-genius-disdains-a-beaten-path-i_1435312.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f2/abraham-lincoln-88_beaten_towering-genius-disdains-a-beaten-path-i_1435312.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f2/abraham-lincoln-88_beaten_towering-genius-disdains-a-beaten-path-i_1435312.png) > “Towering genius disdains a beaten path ... It scorns to tread in the footsteps of any predecessor, however illustrious. It thirsts for distinction.” [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True innovators reject following others and seek unique achievements. **In simple terms:** Great minds avoid copying and aim for originality. Key Takeaway Pursue distinct paths. Themes innovation individualism originality Mood inspirational thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - entrepreneurship - artistic creation - scientific research - personal development Key Concepts philosophy leadership Questions to Reflect On - What drives you to break from tradition? - How do you balance uniqueness with collaboration? A Different Perspective Originality can isolate you from collaborators. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beaten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beaten/) [Beaten path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beaten-path/) [Disdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disdain/) [Distinction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinction/) [Footsteps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/footsteps/) [Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius/) [Genius Disdains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius-disdains-3161367/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Path Scorns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path-scorns-5121427/) [Predecessors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/predecessors/) [Scorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scorn/) [Scorns Tread](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scorns-tread-5121428/) [Thirst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thirst/) [Towering Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/towering-genius-1366456/) ## Related quotes > [“Towering genius disdains a beaten path... It sees no distinction in adding story to story... It scorns to tread in the footsteps of any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/towering-genius-disdains-a-beaten-path-it-sees-no-distinction-in/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Towering genius disdains a beaten path. It seeks regions hitherto unexplored.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/towering-genius-disdains-a-beaten-path-it-seeks-regions-hitherto-2/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“Towering genius disdains a beaten path. It seeks regions hitherto unexplored. It sees no distinction in adding story to story upon the monuments of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/towering-genius-disdains-a-beaten-path-it-seeks-regions-hitherto/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Towering genius distains a beaten path.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/towering-genius-distains-a-beaten-path/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“Towering genius distains a beaten path. It seeks regions hitherto unexplored.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/towering-genius-distains-a-beaten-path-it-seeks-regions-hitherto/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Towering genius...thirsts and burns for distinction; and, if possible, it will have it, whether at the expense of emancipating slaves or enslaving freeman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/towering-genius-thirsts-and-burns-for-distinction-and-if-possible-it/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The fans like the idea we do what we want. It's not an act. Screw the record company and the beaten path. Without MTV…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hetfield/the-fans-like-the-idea-we-do-what-we-want-it-s-not-an-act-screw-the/) [James Hetfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hetfield/) > [You are all lions – so go your own way. Do not walk the beaten path like sheep, one after another. Do not follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-w-l-poonja/you-are-all-lions-so-go-your-own-way-do-not-walk-the-beaten-path-like/) [H. W. L. Poonja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-w-l-poonja/) > [“To be an anarchist is to leave the beaten paths on which for hundreds of years generations of sheep have walked without reflection, break…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-merriman/to-be-an-anarchist-is-to-leave-the-beaten-paths-on-which-for-hundreds/) [John Merriman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-merriman/) > [“You know that crazy heart of yours? The one with lightning crackling and moonlight shining through it. The one you’ve been told not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-nordby/you-know-that-crazy-heart-of-yours-the-one-with-lightning-crackling/) [Jacob Nordby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-nordby/) > [If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mousetrap than his neighbor, though he build his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-a-man-can-write-a-better-book-preach-a-better-sermon-or-make-a/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I'm going to be doing solo stuff. The idea is to do 'small' and 'off my beaten path,' or go back to an old,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-griffin/i-m-going-to-be-doing-solo-stuff-the-idea-is-to-do-small-and-off-my/) [Patty Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-griffin/) > [Get off the beaten path... If you want to find those mom-and-pop joints, those funky little places, just ask around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-fieri/get-off-the-beaten-path-if-you-want-to-find-those-mom-and-pop-joints/) [Guy Fieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-fieri/) > [In our culture of constant access and nonstop media, nothing feels more like a curse from God than time in the wilderness. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-martin/in-our-culture-of-constant-access-and-nonstop-media-nothing-feels/) [Jonathan Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-martin/) > [“I’m beginning to see how the secret ways and deepest mysteries of God and his kingdom are often revealed off the beaten path of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-palmer/i-m-beginning-to-see-how-the-secret-ways-and-deepest-mysteries-of-god/) [Jim Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-palmer/) ## More by Abraham Lincoln > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/all-that-i-am-or-ever-hope-to-be-i-owe-to-my-angel-mother/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If you wish to be a lawyer, attach no consequence to the place you are in, or the person you are with; but get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/if-you-wish-to-be-a-lawyer-attach-no-consequence-to-the-place-you-are/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [As we keep or break the Sabbath Day we nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope by which man rises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/as-we-keep-or-break-the-sabbath-day-we-nobly-save-or-meanly-lose-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Tell the truth and you won't have so much to remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/tell-the-truth-and-you-won-t-have-so-much-to-remember/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [With high hope for the future, no prediction is ventured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/with-high-hope-for-the-future-no-prediction-is-ventured/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We know, Southern men declare that their slaves are better off than hired laborers amongst us. How little they know, whereof they speak! There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/we-know-southern-men-declare-that-their-slaves-are-better-off-than/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I am glad to see that a system of labor prevails under which laborers can strike when they want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-am-glad-to-see-that-a-system-of-labor-prevails-under-which-laborers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I don't like that man. I must get to know him better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-don-t-like-that-man-i-must-get-to-know-him-better/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and to the young, it comes with bitterest agony because it takes them unawares.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-this-sad-world-of-ours-sorrow-comes-to-all-and-to-the-young-it/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am. None who would do more to preserve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-man-does-not-live-who-is-more-devoted-to-peace-than-i-am-none-who/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) [Explore all 1,437 Abraham Lincoln quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## More Beaten quotes > [I think children have talent and insight, but it gets beaten out of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-dove/i-think-children-have-talent-and-insight-but-it-gets-beaten-out-of/) [Rita Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-dove/) > [It's kind of the yin and yang that fascinate me. That for all the evil men do, there are also people who work obnoxiously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-gardner/it-s-kind-of-the-yin-and-yang-that-fascinate-me-that-for-all-the-evil/) [Lisa Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-gardner/) > [It's always a wake-up call to get beaten.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/it-s-always-a-wake-up-call-to-get-beaten/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [“I felt my heart skip a beat, just one, but it was enough that I took notice. It was nice to know that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-m-stunich/i-felt-my-heart-skip-a-beat-just-one-but-it-was-enough-that-i-took/) [C.M. Stunich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-m-stunich/) > [Class clowns are never allowed to date anybody decent, but you don't get beaten up, you're invited to parties, and everybody likes you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-harmon/class-clowns-are-never-allowed-to-date-anybody-decent-but-you-don-t/) [Dan Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-harmon/) > [I know from my own clinical work that when people are beaten and hurt, they numb out so that they cant feel anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bradshaw/i-know-from-my-own-clinical-work-that-when-people-are-beaten-and-hurt/) [John Bradshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bradshaw/) > [You could be beaten down by anybody and by everybody and it doesn't matter what everybody else thinks it's how you see yourself and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/you-could-be-beaten-down-by-anybody-and-by-everybody-and-it-doesn-t/) [Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/) > [Could beauty be beaten out, O youth the cities have sent to strike at each other's strength, it is you who have kept her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/could-beauty-be-beaten-out-o-youth-the-cities-have-sent-to-strike-at/) [Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/) > [The midget, Bush, and that Rumsfeld deserve only to be beaten with shoes by freedom loving people everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/the-midget-bush-and-that-rumsfeld-deserve-only-to-be-beaten-with/) [Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/) > [Like with every form of cancer, early detection is what it is all about. I urge everyone to learn the facts about this condition.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-stewart/like-with-every-form-of-cancer-early-detection-is-what-it-is-all/) [Rod Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-stewart/) > [In our culture of constant access and nonstop media, nothing feels more like a curse from God than time in the wilderness. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-martin/in-our-culture-of-constant-access-and-nonstop-media-nothing-feels/) [Jonathan Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-martin/) > [A man who is determined never to move out of the beaten road cannot lose his way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/a-man-who-is-determined-never-to-move-out-of-the-beaten-road-cannot/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [I admit that I've been beaten up so many times in films, but we do not fake it - we actually have to fight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/min-sik-choi/i-admit-that-i-ve-been-beaten-up-so-many-times-in-films-but-we-do-not/) [Min-sik Choi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/min-sik-choi/) > [I do not approve of children being beaten. It is always a confession of failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/i-do-not-approve-of-children-being-beaten-it-is-always-a-confession/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) > [If you can feel that staying human is worth while, even when it can't have any practical result whatsoever, you've beaten them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/if-you-can-feel-that-staying-human-is-worth-while-even-when-it-can-t/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) [Browse all 665 Beaten quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beaten/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Towering genius disdains a beaten path ... It scorns to tread in the footsteps of any predecessor, however illustrious. 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