Genius Quote by Arnold Bennett
““It is not until an age has receded into history, and all its mediocrity has dropped away from it, that we can see it as it is — as a group of men of genius. We forget the immense amount of twaddle that the great epochs produced.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Old Wives' Tale by Arnold Bennett, 1908
Historical periods are often judged harshly after they pass, revealing that true brilliance is obscured by the mediocrity of its time.
In simple terms: We only recognize genius after an era ends.
Key Takeaway
Value ideas beyond their era's popularity.
Themes
history
genius
mediocrity
Mood
reflective
nostalgic
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- art criticism
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
cultural critique
temporal perspective
Questions to Reflect On
- What modern ideas might be undervalued now?
- How does hindsight change our view of past achievements?
A Different Perspective
Great works can be dismissed as trivial in their own time.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
