Critics Quote by James N. Frey
“It has been said that Ernest Hemingway would rewrite scenes until they pleased him, often thirty or forty times. Hemingway, critics claimed, was a genius. Was it his genius that drove him to work hard, or was it hard work that resulted in works of genius?”
About This Quote
The quote questions whether talent or effort creates greatness, suggesting that repeated revision may be the source of Hemingway’s brilliance.
In simple terms: It asks if genius comes from natural talent or hard work.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the power of disciplined practice.
Themes
talent
effort
creativity
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- writing
- artistic development
- skill mastery
- creative process
Key Concepts
genius
deliberate practice
revision
Questions to Reflect On
- Is talent essential before effort?
- Can effort replace innate ability?
A Different Perspective
Hard work alone may not guarantee genius without insight.
![“Nearly all the writing of our time is likely to disappear in a hundred years. Certainly most readers - and nearly all critics - feel that [Kurt] Vonnegut started to repeat himself, to grow increasingly self-indulgent and meandering, and to sometimes just blather in his later work. But his books up…” quote by Michael Dirda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ed7/michael-dirda-3414_1960s_nearly-all-the-writing-of-our-time-is-li_13506.jpg)