--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Here’s a good question for you—is…" description: "\"“Here’s a good question for you—is greatness in a person born or made?” Tom didn’t have an answer. “I think it’s a combination.” Bert scratched at the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d68/j-a-konrath-13702_fire-inside_here-s-a-good-question-for-you-is-greatn_1348335.jpg" --- # Here’s a good question for you—is greatness in a person… ![“Here’s a good question for you—is greatness in a person born or made?” Tom didn’t have an answer. “I think it’s a combination.” Bert scratched at the bandage on his chin. “Some people are born with a fire inside them. The will to succeed. It isn’t a learned behavior. It’s just some unknown…” quote by J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d68/j-a-konrath-13702_fire-inside_here-s-a-good-question-for-you-is-greatn_1348335.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d68/j-a-konrath-13702_fire-inside_here-s-a-good-question-for-you-is-greatn_1348335.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d68/j-a-konrath-13702_fire-inside_here-s-a-good-question-for-you-is-greatn_1348335.jpg) > ““Here’s a good question for you—is greatness in a person born or made?” Tom didn’t have an answer. “I think it’s a combination.” Bert scratched at the bandage on his chin. “Some people are born with a fire inside them. The will to succeed. It isn’t a learned behavior. It’s just some unknown biological factor that makes them try harder.”” [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) ## 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 debates whether greatness is innate or developed, suggesting a mix of natural drive and learned effort. **In simple terms:** Greatness may stem from both birth and personal effort. Key Takeaway Recognize both talent and hard work. Themes nature vs nurture achievement self‑development Mood reflective inquisitive Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career planning - personal coaching - education - team building Key Concepts psychology motivation growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - Is your personal drive innate or cultivated? - How can you nurture innate talent? A Different Perspective Talent alone may not guarantee success without perseverance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fire inside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire-inside/) ## Related quotes > [Some people are born with a fire inside them. The will to succeed. It isn’t a learned behavior. It’s just some unknown biological factor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-konrath/some-people-are-born-with-a-fire-inside-them-the-will-to-succeed-it/) [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) > [Sweet dreams are born inside you, sweet dreams are born to last. Sweet thoughts within your makeup, these thoughts will always last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yes-band/sweet-dreams-are-born-inside-you-sweet-dreams-are-born-to-last-sweet/) [Yes (Band](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yes-band/) > [I was born inside the movie of my life. The visuals were before me, the audio surrounded me, the plot unfolded inevitably but not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/i-was-born-inside-the-movie-of-my-life-the-visuals-were-before-me-the/) [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) > [When I was growing up in Terrell, Texas, I felt that it was not where I was supposed to be. I knew that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-foxx/when-i-was-growing-up-in-terrell-texas-i-felt-that-it-was-not-where-i/) [Jamie Foxx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-foxx/) > [The true greatness of a person, in my view, is evident in the way he or she treats those with whom courtesy and kindness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/the-true-greatness-of-a-person-in-my-view-is-evident-in-the-way-he-or/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [The true mark of greatness is not found in what a person does with their own life. It is found in helping others discover…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-earl-shoaff/the-true-mark-of-greatness-is-not-found-in-what-a-person-does-with/) John Earl Shoaff > [“As we all are unique, so is the greatness of each person. Only the individual knows whether he/she is fulfilled.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/assegid-habtewold/as-we-all-are-unique-so-is-the-greatness-of-each-person-only-the/) [Assegid Habtewold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/assegid-habtewold/) > [The greatness of a person lies in his heart, not in his head; that is intellect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/the-greatness-of-a-person-lies-in-his-heart-not-in-his-head-that-is/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“...a soul isn't something a person is born with but something that must be built, by effort and error, study and love. And you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-harbach/a-soul-isn-t-something-a-person-is-born-with-but-something-that-must/) [Chad Harbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-harbach/) > [A person is born with a liking for profit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xun-zi/a-person-is-born-with-a-liking-for-profit/) Xun Zi > [I don't believe that just because one person is born on one side of some imaginary line and another person is born on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-cohen/i-don-t-believe-that-just-because-one-person-is-born-on-one-side-of/) [Ben Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-cohen/) > [A person can only be born in one place. However, he may die several times elsewhere: in the exiles and prisons, and in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahmoud-darwish/a-person-can-only-be-born-in-one-place-however-he-may-die-several/) [Mahmoud Darwish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahmoud-darwish/) > [“Not a single person is born in the world who has not a certain capacity which will make him proud, who is not pregnant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-chandler/not-a-single-person-is-born-in-the-world-who-has-not-a-certain/) [Steve Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-chandler/) > [A person born with an instinct for poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/a-person-born-with-an-instinct-for-poverty/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [It's hard to see someone with a 'perfect' body and be like, 'Why can't I be like her?' But that person was born to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-carpenter/it-s-hard-to-see-someone-with-a-perfect-body-and-be-like-why-can-t-i/) [Sabrina Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-carpenter/) ## More by J.A. Konrath > [“Vicky cost the taxpayers sixty-five million dollars, and she couldn’t predict the time an hour from now. I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-konrath/vicky-cost-the-taxpayers-sixty-five-million-dollars-and-she-couldn-t/) [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) > [“We don't know the Devil's side of the story, because God wrote all the books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-konrath/we-don-t-know-the-devil-s-side-of-the-story-because-god-wrote-all-the/) [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) > [Never having something is different than having something and losing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-konrath/never-having-something-is-different-than-having-something-and-losing/) [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) > [Of course, Jack Kilborn is better than both of us combined and mixed with a side helping of the Bronte sisters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-konrath/of-course-jack-kilborn-is-better-than-both-of-us-combined-and-mixed/) [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) > [“But after eating his one-thousandth sinner, Bob became prideful of his accomplishments, and that angered God.” “Why would that anger God?” “This was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-konrath/but-after-eating-his-one-thousandth-sinner-bob-became-prideful-of-his/) [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) > [“Chico was a small-time hustler and big-time loser who liked to bet the ponies and hit women. He was more successful at the latter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-konrath/chico-was-a-small-time-hustler-and-big-time-loser-who-liked-to-bet/) [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) > [“If it takes every cent of my money, every single one of my vast resources, I’ll see to it that you never insure another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-konrath/if-it-takes-every-cent-of-my-money-every-single-one-of-my-vast/) [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) > [“But Thor and I weren’t going to happen, ever. I didn’t tell her this. I might be a killer, but I’m not mean.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-konrath/but-thor-and-i-weren-t-going-to-happen-ever-i-didn-t-tell-her-this-i/) [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) > [Some people are born with a fire inside them. The will to succeed. It isn’t a learned behavior. It’s just some unknown biological factor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-konrath/some-people-are-born-with-a-fire-inside-them-the-will-to-succeed-it/) [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) > [“The first snowfall of the season and everyone seems to forget, en masse, how to drive. I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-konrath/the-first-snowfall-of-the-season-and-everyone-seems-to-forget-en/) [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) > [Every tomorrow has two handles we can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith If you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-konrath/every-tomorrow-has-two-handles-we-can-take-hold-of-it-with-the-handle-2/) [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) > [“She nodded, taking his pistol and showing him the button to release the empty clip. “Where did you learn how to shoot?” he asked.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-konrath/she-nodded-taking-his-pistol-and-showing-him-the-button-to-release/) [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) > [If you can't be smart or funny, be brief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-konrath/if-you-can-t-be-smart-or-funny-be-brief/) [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) > [“That’s why I refused. But after the media”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-konrath/that-s-why-i-refused-but-after-the-media/) [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) > [“There wasn’t supposed to be any bear on this island; according to Google, there wasn’t supposed to be any animal here larger than a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-konrath/there-wasn-t-supposed-to-be-any-bear-on-this-island-according-to/) [J.A. Konrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) [Explore all 48 J.A. Konrath quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-konrath/) ## More Fire inside quotes > [I'm sure people see me as quiet and someone who keeps things to himself a little bit. I might be quiet, but there's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-donald/i-m-sure-people-see-me-as-quiet-and-someone-who-keeps-things-to/) [Luke Donald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-donald/) > [The fire inside people is like a match; the way to ignite that flame is initially through friction, then other matches are lit through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/the-fire-inside-people-is-like-a-match-the-way-to-ignite-that-flame/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [“If we're lucky, we find the one person who will hold our trust and keep it sacred and safe against all attackers. That one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/if-we-re-lucky-we-find-the-one-person-who-will-hold-our-trust-and/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [There is Fire all around you that burns Big and Bright.But The Fire inside you burns Strong and Light.Keep It Lit..Always.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/destinydreams/there-is-fire-all-around-you-that-burns-big-and-bright-but-the-fire/) [DestinyDreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/destinydreams/) > [“You are the shit, Hopper Kincaid!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/you-are-the-shit-hopper-kincaid/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [“Most of those who think their strength is gone and ask for help from others do not know that the strength that seems to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/most-of-those-who-think-their-strength-is-gone-and-ask-for-help-from/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [The pain inside is hard ,unbearable to take but this is because it eating at you everyday,all the emotions rush like blood but sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-davies/the-pain-inside-is-hard-unbearable-to-take-but-this-is-because-it/) [Ryan Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-davies/) > [I actually enjoy the pain. That's what gives me the fire inside to get up and keep going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-mcnair/i-actually-enjoy-the-pain-that-s-what-gives-me-the-fire-inside-to-get/) [Steve McNair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-mcnair/) > [We can export terrorism. We can assassinate and set fires inside the territory of the United States as it did to all of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muammar-al-gaddafi/we-can-export-terrorism-we-can-assassinate-and-set-fires-inside-the/) [Muammar al-Gaddafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muammar-al-gaddafi/) > [“Fire inside is instrumental ,for it bakes wavering spirit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshmala-sharma/fire-inside-is-instrumental-for-it-bakes-wavering-spirit/) [Akshmala Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshmala-sharma/) > [I have this fire inside of me. I have this passion and this drive to do my best, to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-odegaard/i-have-this-fire-inside-of-me-i-have-this-passion-and-this-drive-to/) [Martin Odegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-odegaard/) > [“Most churches do not grow beyond the spiritual health of their leadership. Many churches have a pastor who is trying to lead people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrin-patrick/most-churches-do-not-grow-beyond-the-spiritual-health-of-their/) [Darrin Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrin-patrick/) > [“I know there is hope for mankind because there is a fire inside my chest. I feel the pain of others and I care.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-krizzan/i-know-there-is-hope-for-mankind-because-there-is-a-fire-inside-my/) [Anita Krizzan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-krizzan/) > [“There is no need to say: Love, I love you. Let your whole being say it. If you love, it will say it, words…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhagwan-shree-rajneesh/there-is-no-need-to-say-love-i-love-you-let-your-whole-being-say-it/) [Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhagwan-shree-rajneesh/) > [There is a fire inside. Sit down beside it. Watch the flames, the ancient, flickering dance of yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/there-is-a-fire-inside-sit-down-beside-it-watch-the-flames-the/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) [Browse all 69 Fire inside quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire-inside/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Here’s a good question for you—is greatness in a person born or made?” Tom didn’t have an answer. “I think it’s a combination.” Bert scratched at the bandage on his chin. “Some people are born with a fire inside them. The will to succeed. It isn’t a learned behavior. 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