--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They say that genius is an infinite…" description: "\"They say that genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains,\" he remarked with a smile. \"It's a very bad definition, but it does apply to detective w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a6/arthur-conan-doyle-273_capacity_they-say-that-genius-is-an-infinite-capa_2886865.jpg" --- # They say that genius is an infinite capacity for taking… ![“They say that genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains," he remarked with a smile. "It's a very bad definition, but it does apply to detective work.” quote by Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a6/arthur-conan-doyle-273_capacity_they-say-that-genius-is-an-infinite-capa_2886865.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a6/arthur-conan-doyle-273_capacity_they-say-that-genius-is-an-infinite-capa_2886865.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a6/arthur-conan-doyle-273_capacity_they-say-that-genius-is-an-infinite-capa_2886865.jpg) > “They say that genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains," he remarked with a smile. "It's a very bad definition, but it does apply to detective work.” [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Genius is often defined by relentless effort, yet this view oversimplifies the role of talent and insight in detective work. **In simple terms:** Hard work is seen as the main sign of genius, but talent matters too. Key Takeaway Balance effort with skill. Themes effort talent detective work definition Mood thoughtful analytical Type observational critical. When to use this quote - crime investigation - academic research - skill development - creative projects Key Concepts psychology expertise problem solving Questions to Reflect On - Is effort enough for success? - How does talent complement hard work? A Different Perspective Hard work alone may not lead to breakthroughs without innate ability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Detective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detective/) [Detective work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detective-work/) [Detectives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detectives/) [Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) ## Related quotes > [The best crime novels are not about how a detective works on a case; they are about how a case works on a detective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-connelly/the-best-crime-novels-are-not-about-how-a-detective-works-on-a-case/) [Michael Connelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-connelly/) > [I came to believe that being a private detective was the work I was meant to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/i-came-to-believe-that-being-a-private-detective-was-the-work-i-was/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [It often seems to me that's all detective work is, wiping out your false starts and beginning again." 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I ejaculated.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/wonderful-i-ejaculated/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [Amberley excelled at chess - a mark, Watson, of a scheming mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/amberley-excelled-at-chess-a-mark-watson-of-a-scheming-mind/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [Ex-Professor Moriarty of mathematical celebrity... is the Napoleon of crime, Watson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/ex-professor-moriarty-of-mathematical-celebrity-is-the-napoleon-of/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“When a doctor does go wrong, he is the first of criminals. He has the nerve and he has the knowledge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/when-a-doctor-does-go-wrong-he-is-the-first-of-criminals-he-has-the/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“How small we feel with our petty ambitions and strivings in the presence of the great elemental forces of Nature!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/how-small-we-feel-with-our-petty-ambitions-and-strivings-in-the/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [You wish to put me in the dark. I tell you that I will never be put in the dark. You wish to beat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/you-wish-to-put-me-in-the-dark-i-tell-you-that-i-will-never-be-put-in/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“My mind," he said, "rebels at stagnation. 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