--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Neither can we admit that definition of…" description: "\"Neither can we admit that definition of genius that some would propose--\"a power to accomplish all that we undertake;\" for we might multiply examples t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/charles-caleb-colton-270_accomplish_neither-can-we-admit-that-definition-of_608459.jpg" --- # Neither can we admit that definition of genius that some… ![“Neither can we admit that definition of genius that some would propose--"a power to accomplish all that we undertake;" for we might multiply examples to prove that this definition of genius contains more than the thing defined. Cicero failed in poetry, Pope in painting, Addison in oratory; yet it…” quote by Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/charles-caleb-colton-270_accomplish_neither-can-we-admit-that-definition-of_608459.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/charles-caleb-colton-270_accomplish_neither-can-we-admit-that-definition-of_608459.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/charles-caleb-colton-270_accomplish_neither-can-we-admit-that-definition-of_608459.jpg) > “Neither can we admit that definition of genius that some would propose--"a power to accomplish all that we undertake;" for we might multiply examples to prove that this definition of genius contains more than the thing defined. Cicero failed in poetry, Pope in painting, Addison in oratory; yet it would be harsh to deny genius to these men.” [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) ## 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 not a single talent but a collection of varied abilities, and lacking one skill does not negate overall brilliance. **In simple terms:** Genius includes many strengths, not just one. Key Takeaway Recognize diverse talents in yourself and others. Themes talent diversity recognition Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - career evaluation - creative projects - team building - personal development Key Concepts multidimensional ability human potential Questions to Reflect On - How do you value different strengths? - Can one excel without a single defining skill? A Different Perspective Genius may be overstated when measured by a single metric. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accomplish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplish/) [Defined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defined/) [Defined Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defined-cicero-4945664/) [Definition Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definition-genius-515678/) [Definitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definitions/) [Deny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deny/) [Deny Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deny-genius-4945661/) [Example](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/example/) [Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius/) [Genius Contains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius-contains-4945662/) [Genius Propose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius-propose-4945663/) [Harsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harsh/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Oratory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oratory/) [Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting/) [Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pope/) [Propose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/propose/) [Prove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prove/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) ## Related quotes > [ My definition \[of genius\] would be about being completely involved in your art form. So that's outside of sciences. Within the arts it's about… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-crowe/my-definition-of-genius-would-be-about-being-completely-involved-in/) [Russell Crowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-crowe/) > [The definition of genius is that it acts unconsciously, and those who have produced immortal works have done so without knowing how or why.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/the-definition-of-genius-is-that-it-acts-unconsciously-and-those-who/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [My definition of genius is not being that person the actual human is a genius, but it's a person that just allows God to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/my-definition-of-genius-is-not-being-that-person-the-actual-human-is/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [We can all be geniuses because one definition of genius is the infinite capacity for taking pains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/knute-rockne/we-can-all-be-geniuses-because-one-definition-of-genius-is-the/) [Knute Rockne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/knute-rockne/) > [The definition of genius, really, should be that that person can do what the rest of us have to learn how to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-lipton/the-definition-of-genius-really-should-be-that-that-person-can-do/) [James Lipton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-lipton/) > [The definition of genius is taking the complex and making it simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-definition-of-genius-is-taking-the-complex-and-making-it-simple/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [If our eloquence be directed above the heads of our hearers, we shall do no execution. By pointing our arguments low, we stand a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/if-our-eloquence-be-directed-above-the-heads-of-our-hearers-we-shall/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [In oratory the will must predominate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hare/in-oratory-the-will-must-predominate/) [David Hare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hare/) > [There is an atmosphere of well-sounding oratory that likes to attach itself to dress clothes. Away with it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/there-is-an-atmosphere-of-well-sounding-oratory-that-likes-to-attach/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I have such an intense pride of sex that the triumphs of women in art, literature, oratory, science, or song rouse my enthusiasm as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/i-have-such-an-intense-pride-of-sex-that-the-triumphs-of-women-in-art/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [“Oratory is the highest form of music”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agona-apell/oratory-is-the-highest-form-of-music/) [Agona Apell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agona-apell/) > [The law of silence: Speak little. Say only what you must. Speak only when necessary. Your oratory should be deeds, not words. You accomplish:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corneliu-zelea-codreanu/the-law-of-silence-speak-little-say-only-what-you-must-speak-only/) [Corneliu Zelea Codreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corneliu-zelea-codreanu/) > [The aim of forensic oratory is to teach, to delight, to move.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/the-aim-of-forensic-oratory-is-to-teach-to-delight-to-move/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [ “Nothing could be more admirable than the manner in which for forty years he \[Joseph Black\] performed this useful and dignified office. His style… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-peter-brougham/nothing-could-be-more-admirable-than-the-manner-in-which-for-forty/) [Henry Peter Brougham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-peter-brougham/) > [“Let the oratory be what it is called, and let nothing else be done or stored there. When the work of God is finished,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-benedict/let-the-oratory-be-what-it-is-called-and-let-nothing-else-be-done-or/) [St. Benedict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-benedict/) ## More by Charles Caleb Colton > [Villainy that is vigilant will be an overmatch for virtue, if she slumber at her post.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/villainy-that-is-vigilant-will-be-an-overmatch-for-virtue-if-she/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [A beautiful woman, if poor, should use double circumspection; for her beauty will tempt others, her poverty herself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/a-beautiful-woman-if-poor-should-use-double-circumspection-for-her/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Were the life of man prolonged, he would become such a proficient in villainy, that it would become necessary again to drown or to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/were-the-life-of-man-prolonged-he-would-become-such-a-proficient-in/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [To dare to live alone is the rarest courage; since there are many who had rather meet their bitterest enemy in the field, than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/to-dare-to-live-alone-is-the-rarest-courage-since-there-are-many-who/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [It is doubtful whether mankind are most indebted to those who like Bacon and Butler dig the gold from the mine of literature, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/it-is-doubtful-whether-mankind-are-most-indebted-to-those-who-like/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Be very slow to believe that you are wiser than all others; it is a fatal but common error. Where one has been saved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/be-very-slow-to-believe-that-you-are-wiser-than-all-others-it-is-a/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [None are so fond of secrets as those who do not mean to keep them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/none-are-so-fond-of-secrets-as-those-who-do-not-mean-to-keep-them/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Mental pleasures never cloy; unlike those of the body, they are increased by reputation, approved by reflection, and strengthened by enjoyment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/mental-pleasures-never-cloy-unlike-those-of-the-body-they-are/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Ignorance lies at the bottom of all human knowledge, and the deeper we penetrate, the nearer we arrive unto it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/ignorance-lies-at-the-bottom-of-all-human-knowledge-and-the-deeper-we/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Heroism, self-denial, and magnanimity, in all instances where they do not spring from a principle of religion, are but splendid altars on which we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/heroism-self-denial-and-magnanimity-in-all-instances-where-they-do/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [We ought not to be over-anxious to encourage innovation in cases of doubtful improvement, for an old system must ever have two advantages over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/we-ought-not-to-be-over-anxious-to-encourage-innovation-in-cases-of/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [We owe almost all our knowledge not to those who have agreed, but to those who have differed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/we-owe-almost-all-our-knowledge-not-to-those-who-have-agreed-but-to/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Metaphysicians have been learning their lessons for the last four thousand years, and it is high time that they should now begin to teach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/metaphysicians-have-been-learning-their-lessons-for-the-last-four/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Faith and works are necessary to our spiritual life as Christians, as soul and body are to our natural life as men; for faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/faith-and-works-are-necessary-to-our-spiritual-life-as-christians-as/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [When all moves equally (says Pascal), nothing seems to move as in a vessel under sail; and when all run by common consent into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/when-all-moves-equally-says-pascal-nothing-seems-to-move-as-in-a/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) [Explore all 778 Charles Caleb Colton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) ## More Accomplish quotes > [Learn to see the big picture. Often times we get tunnel vision and lose sight of the big picture and what we're really trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cheeke/learn-to-see-the-big-picture-often-times-we-get-tunnel-vision-and/) [Robert Cheeke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cheeke/) > [You know, by the time you reach my age, you've made plenty of mistakes if you've lived your life properly. So you learn. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/you-know-by-the-time-you-reach-my-age-you-ve-made-plenty-of-mistakes/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [I work every day. Sometimes I don't accomplish anything every day, but if I don't work every day, I get depressed and get afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/i-work-every-day-sometimes-i-don-t-accomplish-anything-every-day-but/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [God has given believers the responsibility of spreading the Gospel to all the world, and we need to use all at our disposal to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-epp/god-has-given-believers-the-responsibility-of-spreading-the-gospel-to/) [Theodore Epp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-epp/) > [ \[The Community's\] crosses and trials give me confidence. But I derive my hope above all, and most especially, from our utter incapacity, for it… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-guerin/the-community-s-crosses-and-trials-give-me-confidence-but-i-derive-my/) [Theodore Guerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-guerin/) > [There's things that you want to accomplish, but to do that you have to work. That's the name of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-schwarber/there-s-things-that-you-want-to-accomplish-but-to-do-that-you-have-to/) [Kyle Schwarber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-schwarber/) > [To accomplish much you must first lose everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/che-guevara/to-accomplish-much-you-must-first-lose-everything/) [Che Guevara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/che-guevara/) > [We have to think about the future and what it is we want to accomplish from this party.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-bernice-johnson/we-have-to-think-about-the-future-and-what-it-is-we-want-to/) [Eddie Bernice Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-bernice-johnson/) > [Everything that I have ever hoped to accomplish, she has done and done better than anyone I have ever seen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-hathaway/everything-that-i-have-ever-hoped-to-accomplish-she-has-done-and-done/) [Anne Hathaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-hathaway/) > [There's a lot that I want to accomplish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/there-s-a-lot-that-i-want-to-accomplish/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [For what we want to accomplish in the future, we have to be able to view everything from the eyes of the customer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-katz/for-what-we-want-to-accomplish-in-the-future-we-have-to-be-able-to/) [Karen Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-katz/) > [And for me the only way to live life is to grab the bull by the horns and call up recording studios and set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-frusciante/and-for-me-the-only-way-to-live-life-is-to-grab-the-bull-by-the-horns/) [John Frusciante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-frusciante/) > [A great tennis career is something that a 15-year-old normally doesn't have. I hope my example helps other teens believe they can accomplish things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-sharapova/a-great-tennis-career-is-something-that-a-15-year-old-normally-doesn/) [Maria Sharapova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-sharapova/) > [Somebody once told me that if you laugh at a George Bush joke, or you send an email cartoon to your friends that makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/somebody-once-told-me-that-if-you-laugh-at-a-george-bush-joke-or-you/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [One should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xi/one-should-not-withdraw-from-individuals-and-commit-to-the-community/) [Pope Pius XI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xi/) [Browse all 2,426 Accomplish quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplish/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Neither can we admit that definition of genius that some would propose--\"a power to accomplish all that we undertake;\" for we might multiply examples to prove that this definition of genius contains more than the thing defined. Cicero failed in poetry, Pope in painting, Addison in oratory; yet it would be harsh to deny genius to these men.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Charles Caleb Colton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/neither-can-we-admit-that-definition-of-genius-that-some-would/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accomplish" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/neither-can-we-admit-that-definition-of-genius-that-some-would/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/charles-caleb-colton-270_accomplish_neither-can-we-admit-that-definition-of_608459.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/charles-caleb-colton-270_accomplish_neither-can-we-admit-that-definition-of_608459.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/charles-caleb-colton-270_accomplish_neither-can-we-admit-that-definition-of_608459.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Neither can we admit that definition of genius that some would propose--\"a power to accomplish all that we…” — Charles Caleb Colton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Charles Caleb Colton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Neither can we admit that definition...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/neither-can-we-admit-that-definition-of-genius-that-some-would/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/neither-can-we-admit-that-definition-of-genius-that-some-would/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```