--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The belief that you have a great idea is…" description: "\"The belief that you have a great idea is not worth cuckoo spit. Ideas are ten a penny while the ability to execute counts for a great deal more.\" — Fel..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07a/felix-dennis-3862_ability_the-belief-that-you-have-a-great-idea-is_381398.png" --- # The belief that you have a great idea is not worth cuckoo… ![“The belief that you have a great idea is not worth cuckoo spit. Ideas are ten a penny while the ability to execute counts for a great deal more.” quote by Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07a/felix-dennis-3862_ability_the-belief-that-you-have-a-great-idea-is_381398.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07a/felix-dennis-3862_ability_the-belief-that-you-have-a-great-idea-is_381398.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07a/felix-dennis-3862_ability_the-belief-that-you-have-a-great-idea-is_381398.png) > “The belief that you have a great idea is not worth cuckoo spit. Ideas are ten a penny while the ability to execute counts for a great deal more.” [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote emphasizes that ideas alone have little value; execution is far more important than the mere conception of an idea. **In simple terms:** Ideas are cheap; execution matters more. Key Takeaway Focus on acting, not just dreaming. Themes execution value ideas Mood determined pragmatic Type advice motivational When to use this quote - startup launch - project management - personal goals - team leadership Key Concepts entrepreneurship productivity realization Questions to Reflect On - How can you improve your execution process? - What steps turn an idea into results? A Different Perspective Great ideas can fail without proper implementation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Great idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-idea/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) ## Related quotes > [“We are not blood and gristle and hair and spit. We are ideas, if we are anything at all. That part of us that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-v-s-redick/we-are-not-blood-and-gristle-and-hair-and-spit-we-are-ideas-if-we-are/) [Robert V.S. Redick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-v-s-redick/) > [Having a great idea is simply not enough. The eventual goal is vastly more important than any idea. It is how ideas are implemented…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/having-a-great-idea-is-simply-not-enough-the-eventual-goal-is-vastly/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [I think having a great idea is vastly overrated. I know it sounds kind of crazy and counterintuitive. I don't think it matters what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/i-think-having-a-great-idea-is-vastly-overrated-i-know-it-sounds-kind/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [An idea's worth is directly proportional to the opposition created.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-townsend/an-idea-s-worth-is-directly-proportional-to-the-opposition-created/) [Robert Townsend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-townsend/) > [“In business, sport, entertainment and beyond an idea is worth next to nothing. The energy, effort, passion, talent, tenacity, strategy, resilience and resourcefulness to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rasheed-ogunlaru/in-business-sport-entertainment-and-beyond-an-idea-is-worth-next-to/) [Rasheed Ogunlaru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rasheed-ogunlaru/) > [“A sound idea is a form of energy. It can not be destroyed. It evolves from inspiration, to a function of preparation, then determination…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eniitan-akinola/a-sound-idea-is-a-form-of-energy-it-can-not-be-destroyed-it-evolves/) [Eniitan Akinola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eniitan-akinola/) > [Now, ideas are the raw material of progress. Everything first takes shape in the form of an idea. But an idea itself is worth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/now-ideas-are-the-raw-material-of-progress-everything-first-takes/) [B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/) > [I love you. You have no idea what you are worth to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/i-love-you-you-have-no-idea-what-you-are-worth-to-me/) [Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/) > [“I have yet to hear a single idea that was worth considering for longer than it took us to listen to it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-saramago/i-have-yet-to-hear-a-single-idea-that-was-worth-considering-for/) [José Saramago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-saramago/) > [If you have an idea that seems worth doing, don't wait to hire other people and get funding and all those things. Just start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-khan/if-you-have-an-idea-that-seems-worth-doing-don-t-wait-to-hire-other/) [Salman Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-khan/) > [I've learned to wait 'til an idea is worth making. That's not really a lesson I've learned; I sort of always did it that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-jon-benjamin/i-ve-learned-to-wait-til-an-idea-is-worth-making-that-s-not-really-a/) [H. Jon Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-jon-benjamin/) > [“If you can film an idea in your mind, follow that film idea shot for shot, scene for scene and enjoy it, that idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-mapp/if-you-can-film-an-idea-in-your-mind-follow-that-film-idea-shot-for/) Craig Mapp > [My idea is worth more than your negativity. My hard work is worth more than your words. My integrity is worth more than your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/my-idea-is-worth-more-than-your-negativity-my-hard-work-is-worth-more/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [Good idea is worth valuing for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-gang/good-idea-is-worth-valuing-for/) Jean Gang > [One God idea is worth more than a thousand good ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-batterson/one-god-idea-is-worth-more-than-a-thousand-good-ideas/) [Mark Batterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-batterson/) ## More by Felix Dennis > [I should have liked to get married, but over many decades I have lived essentially alone. I go to sleep when I'm tired, get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/i-should-have-liked-to-get-married-but-over-many-decades-i-have-lived/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [It's a long, slow sunset for ink-on-paper magazines, but sunsets can produce vast sums of money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/it-s-a-long-slow-sunset-for-ink-on-paper-magazines-but-sunsets-can/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [I love the business of business; I love the risk raking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/i-love-the-business-of-business-i-love-the-risk-raking/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [People really do not have time to read all the newspapers in the world and all the sites that we now commonly use on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/people-really-do-not-have-time-to-read-all-the-newspapers-in-the/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [Fear not. For fear itself is fed by fear, and all fears pass. Did no one tell you so? Come take my hand, my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/fear-not-for-fear-itself-is-fed-by-fear-and-all-fears-pass-did-no-one/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [False praise is worse than no praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/false-praise-is-worse-than-no-praise/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > ['The Week' is my favourite magazine. Everyone from presidents to CEOs of companies love it, politicians, people in the massive charity business in America,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/the-week-is-my-favourite-magazine-everyone-from-presidents-to-ceos-of/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [Talent is indispensable, although it is 'always' replaceable. Just remember the simple rules concerning talent: Identify It, Hire It, Nurture It, Reward It, Protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/talent-is-indispensable-although-it-is-always-replaceable-just/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [I cannot abide being bored.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/i-cannot-abide-being-bored/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [Publishing magazines for yourself is not good business, man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/publishing-magazines-for-yourself-is-not-good-business-man/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [Posthumous reputations have little to do with real lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/posthumous-reputations-have-little-to-do-with-real-lives/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [Good ideas are like Nike sports shoes. They may facilitate success for an athlete who possesses them, but on their own they are nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/good-ideas-are-like-nike-sports-shoes-they-may-facilitate-success-for/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [The best thing about being immensely wealthy is not having to be in any particular place at any particular time doing a particular task…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/the-best-thing-about-being-immensely-wealthy-is-not-having-to-be-in/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [What is negotiation but the accumulation of small lies leading to advantage?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/what-is-negotiation-but-the-accumulation-of-small-lies-leading-to/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [Obviously, waste disposal is an enormous and fantastic industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/obviously-waste-disposal-is-an-enormous-and-fantastic-industry/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) [Explore all 120 Felix Dennis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The belief that you have a great idea is not worth cuckoo spit. 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