--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Men of genius are like eagles, they live…" description: "\"Men of genius are like eagles, they live on what they kill, while men of talents are like crows, they live on what has been killed for them.\" — Josh Bi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/josh-billings-777_crow_men-of-genius-are-like-eagles-they-live_784495.png" --- # Men of genius are like eagles, they live on what they… ![“Men of genius are like eagles, they live on what they kill, while men of talents are like crows, they live on what has been killed for them.” quote by Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/josh-billings-777_crow_men-of-genius-are-like-eagles-they-live_784495.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/josh-billings-777_crow_men-of-genius-are-like-eagles-they-live_784495.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/josh-billings-777_crow_men-of-genius-are-like-eagles-they-live_784495.png) > “Men of genius are like eagles, they live on what they kill, while men of talents are like crows, they live on what has been killed for them.” [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It contrasts natural talent, which relies on personal effort and ambition, with inherited talent, which depends on external opportunities. **In simple terms:** Genius works hard; talent may rely on luck. Key Takeaway Value effort over entitlement. Themes motivation achievement inequality Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career planning - education - personal development Key Concepts self-reliance opportunity meritocracy Questions to Reflect On - Do you think success is more about effort or circumstance? - How can society reward both hard work and support? A Different Perspective It may oversimplify complex social factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eagles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eagles/) [Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talent/) [Talents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talents/) ## Related quotes > [Om rubed his head. This wasn't god-like thinking. It seemed simpler when you were up here. It was all a game. You forgot that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/om-rubed-his-head-this-wasn-t-god-like-thinking-it-seemed-simpler/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/but-those-who-wait-on-the-lord-shall-renew-their-strength-they-shall/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Leaders are like eagles... they don't flock. You'll find them one at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/knute-rockne/leaders-are-like-eagles-they-don-t-flock-you-ll-find-them-one-at-a/) [Knute Rockne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/knute-rockne/) > [I have often been reminded of the wild duck that came down on migration into a barnyard and liked it so well that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/i-have-often-been-reminded-of-the-wild-duck-that-came-down-on/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [The 'Crue' is not the hardest band to cover. There are no harmonies like the Eagles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-miller/the-crue-is-not-the-hardest-band-to-cover-there-are-no-harmonies-like/) Brian Miller > [Like two eagles soar as one upon the river of the wind with the promise of forever, we will take the past and learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pocahontas/like-two-eagles-soar-as-one-upon-the-river-of-the-wind-with-the/) [Pocahontas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pocahontas/) > [I do not run my band like The Eagles, for sure. I've never had to be heavy handed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-b-schmit/i-do-not-run-my-band-like-the-eagles-for-sure-i-ve-never-had-to-be/) [Timothy B. Schmit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-b-schmit/) > [As much as I love heavy riffs, I like The Eagles, Neil Young, Elton John, Crowded House.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zakk-wylde/as-much-as-i-love-heavy-riffs-i-like-the-eagles-neil-young-elton-john/) [Zakk Wylde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zakk-wylde/) > [I've got my old favorites like The Eagles and Bon Jovi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niall-horan/i-ve-got-my-old-favorites-like-the-eagles-and-bon-jovi/) [Niall Horan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niall-horan/) > [Great men are like eagles, and build their nest on some lofty solitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-schopenhauer/great-men-are-like-eagles-and-build-their-nest-on-some-lofty-solitude/) [Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhauer/) > [We have always been like The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac in that we have numerous lead singers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lukather/we-have-always-been-like-the-eagles-and-fleetwood-mac-in-that-we-have/) [Steve Lukather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lukather/) > [ When men of talents are punished, authority is strengthened. \[Lat., Punitis ingeniis, gliscit auctoritas.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/when-men-of-talents-are-punished-authority-is-strengthened-lat/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [Our poets are men of talents who sing, and not the children of music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/our-poets-are-men-of-talents-who-sing-and-not-the-children-of-music/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [All men have talents. Some build, some paint, some write, some fight. For me it is different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gemmell/all-men-have-talents-some-build-some-paint-some-write-some-fight-for/) [David Gemmell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gemmell/) > [The eagle never lost so much time as when he submitted to learn of the crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/the-eagle-never-lost-so-much-time-as-when-he-submitted-to-learn-of/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) ## More by Josh Billings > [It ain't because lovers are so sensitive that they quarrel so often; it is because there is so much fun n the making up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/it-ain-t-because-lovers-are-so-sensitive-that-they-quarrel-so-often/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Man was created a little lower than the angels and has been getting a little lower ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/man-was-created-a-little-lower-than-the-angels-and-has-been-getting-a/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [There is only one good substitute for the endearments of a sister, and that is the endearments of some other fellow's sister.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/there-is-only-one-good-substitute-for-the-endearments-of-a-sister-and/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds a man down or polishes him up depends on the stuff he's made of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/life-is-a-grindstone-and-whether-it-grinds-a-man-down-or-polishes-him/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Its harly my dog A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/its-harly-my-dog-a-dog-is-the-only-thing-on-earth-that-loves-you-more/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Perseverance is king.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/perseverance-is-king/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Unless we put heart and soul into our labor we but brutify our actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/unless-we-put-heart-and-soul-into-our-labor-we-but-brutify-our-actions/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [A secret ceases to be a secret if it is once confided - it is like a dollar bill, once broken, it is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/a-secret-ceases-to-be-a-secret-if-it-is-once-confided-it-is-like-a/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [If a man is right, he can't be too radical; if he is wrong, he can't be too conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-a-man-is-right-he-can-t-be-too-radical-if-he-is-wrong-he-can-t-be/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [As a general rule, if you want to get at the truth - hear both sides and believe neither.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/as-a-general-rule-if-you-want-to-get-at-the-truth-hear-both-sides-and/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Economy is a savings-bank, into which men drop pennies, and get dollars in return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/economy-is-a-savings-bank-into-which-men-drop-pennies-and-get-dollars/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Self-made men are most always apt to be a little too proud of the job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/self-made-men-are-most-always-apt-to-be-a-little-too-proud-of-the-job/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Poverty is one of them kind of misfortunes that we all of us dread but none of us pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/poverty-is-one-of-them-kind-of-misfortunes-that-we-all-of-us-dread/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [If the world despises a hypocrite, what must they think of him in heaven?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-the-world-despises-a-hypocrite-what-must-they-think-of-him-in/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [The man who gets bit twice by the same dog is better adapted for that kind of business than any other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/the-man-who-gets-bit-twice-by-the-same-dog-is-better-adapted-for-that/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Explore all 372 Josh Billings quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) ## More Crow quotes > [“That fucking crow-bodied thing had won. How gleeful it was now. All because he'd wanted to live, forget genius and destiny, and simply be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-fitch/that-fucking-crow-bodied-thing-had-won-how-gleeful-it-was-now-all/) [Janet Fitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-fitch/) > [“I pull his hand up to my chest. "It's okay. Some of my best friends are in the mob. It must be really tough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giorge-leedy/i-pull-his-hand-up-to-my-chest-it-s-okay-some-of-my-best-friends-are/) [Giorge Leedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giorge-leedy/) > [Here the crow starves, here the patient stag Breeds for the rifle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-stearns-eliot/here-the-crow-starves-here-the-patient-stag-breeds-for-the-rifle/) [Thomas Stearns Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-stearns-eliot/) > [The welfare state has done to Black Americans what slavery (and Jim Crow and racism) could not have done. . .break up the black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stossel/the-welfare-state-has-done-to-black-americans-what-slavery-and-jim/) [John Stossel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stossel/) > [Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/crows-pick-out-the-eyes-of-the-dead-when-the-dead-have-no-longer-need/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Since the nations founding, African Americans repeatedly have been controlled through institutions such as slavery and Jim Crow, which appear to die but then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-alexander/since-the-nations-founding-african-americans-repeatedly-have-been/) [Michelle Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-alexander/) > [“music puts me in touch with life's energy and death still hanging like an old crow on the vines of my mind”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanna-abi-akl/music-puts-me-in-touch-with-life-s-energy-and-death-still-hanging/) [Hanna Abi Akl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanna-abi-akl/) > [It's a matter of how the bullpen looks as to whether Bell goes in there or Crow goes in there. Bell won't be ready…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-graham/it-s-a-matter-of-how-the-bullpen-looks-as-to-whether-bell-goes-in/) Wayne Graham > [I've always been a really really big Sheryl Crow fan. I just respect what she does in a way that she just remains true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-voegele/i-ve-always-been-a-really-really-big-sheryl-crow-fan-i-just-respect/) [Kate Voegele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-voegele/) > [I went from an unemployed actor's life to doing stand-up comedy, and that was fortuitous. It's not the usual way the crow flies, going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-tate/i-went-from-an-unemployed-actor-s-life-to-doing-stand-up-comedy-and/) [Catherine Tate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-tate/) > [You cannot be responsible for Jim Crow. You can not be responsible for racism. This is much more a problem for the person exercising…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raoul-peck/you-cannot-be-responsible-for-jim-crow-you-can-not-be-responsible-for/) [Raoul Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raoul-peck/) > [As a southerner born after the epic events of the civil rights movement, I've always wondered how on earth people of good will could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-meacham/as-a-southerner-born-after-the-epic-events-of-the-civil-rights/) [Jon Meacham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-meacham/) > [You know, all is development. The principle is perpetually going on. First, there was nothing, then there was something; then-I forget the next-I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/you-know-all-is-development-the-principle-is-perpetually-going-on/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [I submit my tongue as an instrument of righteousness when I make it bless them that curse me and pray for them who persecute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/i-submit-my-tongue-as-an-instrument-of-righteousness-when-i-make-it/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [She stood looking carefully at the labeled portraits Ursala had put up: Little Crow, Chief of the Santees, Geronimo, last of the Apaches, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-ibbotson/she-stood-looking-carefully-at-the-labeled-portraits-ursala-had-put/) [Eva Ibbotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-ibbotson/) Browse all 426 Crow quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Men of genius are like eagles, they live on what they kill, while men of talents are like crows, they live on what has been killed for them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Josh Billings" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/men-of-genius-are-like-eagles-they-live-on-what-they-kill-while-men/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Crow" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/men-of-genius-are-like-eagles-they-live-on-what-they-kill-while-men/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/josh-billings-777_crow_men-of-genius-are-like-eagles-they-live_784495.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/josh-billings-777_crow_men-of-genius-are-like-eagles-they-live_784495.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/josh-billings-777_crow_men-of-genius-are-like-eagles-they-live_784495.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Men of genius are like eagles, they live on what they kill, while men of talents are like crows, they live…” — Josh Billings", "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": "Josh Billings", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Men of genius are like eagles,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/men-of-genius-are-like-eagles-they-live-on-what-they-kill-while-men/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/men-of-genius-are-like-eagles-they-live-on-what-they-kill-while-men/#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 } } ] } ```