--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Great talents mature slowly." description: "\"“Great talents mature slowly.”\" — Lao Tzu" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/lao-tzu-624_slowly_great-talents-mature-slowly-3223607_3223607.jpg" --- # Great talents mature slowly. ![“Great talents mature slowly.” quote by Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/lao-tzu-624_slowly_great-talents-mature-slowly-3223607_3223607.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/lao-tzu-624_slowly_great-talents-mature-slowly-3223607_3223607.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/lao-tzu-624_slowly_great-talents-mature-slowly-3223607_3223607.jpg) > ““Great talents mature slowly.”” [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True abilities develop over time through patience and steady effort. **In simple terms:** Talents need time to grow. Key Takeaway Cultivate patience and practice. Themes patience growth talent Mood reflective calm Type wisdom inspirational When to use this quote - learning a new skill - career advancement - artistic practice - personal coaching Key Concepts philosophy self‑development Questions to Reflect On - How do you nurture slow‑blooming strengths? - What patience practices help you stay committed? A Different Perspective Fast results are rare; progress can feel invisible. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Great Talents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-talents-559716/) [Mature Slowly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mature-slowly-1979515/) [Slowly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slowly/) [Talents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talents/) [Talents Mature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talents-mature-2783920/) ## Related quotes > [Precocious talents mature slowly if at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/precocious-talents-mature-slowly-if-at-all/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Great talents are the most lovely and often the most dangerous fruits on the tree of humanity. They hang upon the most slender twigs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/great-talents-are-the-most-lovely-and-often-the-most-dangerous-fruits/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) > [It is not so much great talents that God blesses, as great likeness to Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-murray-m-cheyne/it-is-not-so-much-great-talents-that-god-blesses-as-great-likeness-to/) [Robert Murray M'Cheyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-murray-m-cheyne/) > [If you have great talents, industry will improve them: if you have but moderate abilities, industry will supply their deficiency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-reynolds/if-you-have-great-talents-industry-will-improve-them-if-you-have-but/) [Joshua Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-reynolds/) > [“If you put your mind to something and persevere in an effort to improve, the day will come when it all seems to click,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kajiwara-takeo/if-you-put-your-mind-to-something-and-persevere-in-an-effort-to/) [Kajiwara Takeo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kajiwara-takeo/) > [The bonds of matrimony are like any other bonds - they mature slowly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-de-vries/the-bonds-of-matrimony-are-like-any-other-bonds-they-mature-slowly/) [Peter De Vries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-de-vries/) > [Slowly but surely I have been soaking Rilke up these last few months: the man, his work and his life. And that is probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/slowly-but-surely-i-have-been-soaking-rilke-up-these-last-few-months/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) > [I played in garage bands and rock and roll bands when I was in junior high and high school and saw some of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cassidy/i-played-in-garage-bands-and-rock-and-roll-bands-when-i-was-in-junior/) [David Cassidy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cassidy/) > [As a director, you're given a tremendous apparatus to work with, and very great talents are available to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-monahan/as-a-director-you-re-given-a-tremendous-apparatus-to-work-with-and/) [William Monahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-monahan/) > [“Great talents encourage great incapacities, but maintaining an inability to cook an egg or drive a car won't make you into a genius.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-manguso/great-talents-encourage-great-incapacities-but-maintaining-an/) [Sarah Manguso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-manguso/) > [Berbatov is a great talent, there is no question about that, and as coaches and managers we demand more from great talents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-phelan/berbatov-is-a-great-talent-there-is-no-question-about-that-and-as/) [Mike Phelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-phelan/) > [I know there are many great talents, much more talented than I am, but they haven't been able to achieve what I have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/himesh-reshammiya/i-know-there-are-many-great-talents-much-more-talented-than-i-am-but/) [Himesh Reshammiya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/himesh-reshammiya/) > [Great talents ripen late; the highest notes are hard to hear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/great-talents-ripen-late-the-highest-notes-are-hard-to-hear/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [I always wish to find great virtues where there are great talents, and to love what I admire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-montagu/i-always-wish-to-find-great-virtues-where-there-are-great-talents-and/) [Elizabeth Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-montagu/) > [We all prosper when folks are more appraised of how great those matches were and how great those talents were from all of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cornette/we-all-prosper-when-folks-are-more-appraised-of-how-great-those/) [Jim Cornette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cornette/) ## More by Lao Tzu > [“This is how they are able to continue and endure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/this-is-how-they-are-able-to-continue-and-endure/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Gravity is the root of lightness;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/gravity-is-the-root-of-lightness/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Therefore the Tao is great;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/therefore-the-tao-is-great/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Not seeking, not expecting, she is present, and can welcome all things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/not-seeking-not-expecting-she-is-present-and-can-welcome-all-things/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“What all men fear is indeed to be feared;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/what-all-men-fear-is-indeed-to-be-feared/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Just remain in the center; watching. And then forget that you are there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/just-remain-in-the-center-watching-and-then-forget-that-you-are-there/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“This is what is called 'The mysterious Quality' (of the Tao).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/this-is-what-is-called-the-mysterious-quality-of-the-tao/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“If you show yourself, you will not be seen. If you affirm yourself, you will not shine. If you boast, you will have no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/if-you-show-yourself-you-will-not-be-seen-if-you-affirm-yourself-you/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“The thirty spokes unite in the one nave; but it is on the empty space (for the axle), that the use of the wheel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-thirty-spokes-unite-in-the-one-nave-but-it-is-on-the-empty-space/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“To know and yet (think) we do not know is the highest (attainment); not to know (and yet think) we do know is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/to-know-and-yet-think-we-do-not-know-is-the-highest-attainment-not-to/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/he-who-knows-other-men-is-discerning-he-who-knows-himself-is/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“If you are depressed, you are living in the past; if you are anxious, you are living in the present; if you are at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/if-you-are-depressed-you-are-living-in-the-past-if-you-are-anxious/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Simplicity without a name Is free from all external aim. With no desire, at rest and still, All things go right as of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/simplicity-without-a-name-is-free-from-all-external-aim-with-no/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/when-gold-and-jade-fill-the-hall-their-possessor-cannot-keep-them-safe/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“We listen to it, and we do not hear it, and we name it 'the Inaudible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/we-listen-to-it-and-we-do-not-hear-it-and-we-name-it-the-inaudible/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) [Explore all 434 Lao Tzu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) ## More Slowly quotes > [Alfred Nobel believed that social changes are brought about slowly, and sometimes by indirect means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertha-von-suttner/alfred-nobel-believed-that-social-changes-are-brought-about-slowly/) [Bertha von Suttner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertha-von-suttner/) > [To become a philosopher, start by walking very slowly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/to-become-a-philosopher-start-by-walking-very-slowly/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [Almost immediately, I remember right when Tikrit even fell, a few days after Baghdad fell, there was talks of insurgency, there was talks of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farnaz-fassihi/almost-immediately-i-remember-right-when-tikrit-even-fell-a-few-days/) [Farnaz Fassihi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farnaz-fassihi/) > [Oh, she walks slowly, across a young man's room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-jam/oh-she-walks-slowly-across-a-young-man-s-room/) [Pearl Jam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-jam/) > [Cause I swear that I'm dying, slowly but its happening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/cause-i-swear-that-i-m-dying-slowly-but-its-happening/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [Eventually I booked a 2-line role on a show called 'JAG' and slowly the parts got bigger and better. I'm very thankful that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-witwer/eventually-i-booked-a-2-line-role-on-a-show-called-jag-and-slowly-the/) [Samuel Witwer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-witwer/) > [When we read too fast or too slowly, we understand nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/when-we-read-too-fast-or-too-slowly-we-understand-nothing/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [“Do you know why you walk slowly when you’re old?” “No.” “Because with age you receive the gift of friction. The less time you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/do-you-know-why-you-walk-slowly-when-you-re-old-no-because-with-age/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [“Stay on good terms with each other,’ ” he read slowly, putting emphasis on each word, “‘held together by love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-carlson/stay-on-good-terms-with-each-other-he-read-slowly-putting-emphasis-on/) [Melody Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-carlson/) > [Negativity slowly kills your mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew/negativity-slowly-kills-your-mind/) [Andrew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew/) > [It's hard for me to speculate about what motivates somebody like Stephen Hawking or Elon Musk to talk so extensively about AI. I'd have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oren-etzioni/it-s-hard-for-me-to-speculate-about-what-motivates-somebody-like/) [Oren Etzioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oren-etzioni/) > [“impersonal, slowly swelling movement”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-francis-leary/impersonal-slowly-swelling-movement/) [Timothy Francis Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-francis-leary/) > [I'm slowly learning to not care what others opinions are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-slowly-learning-to-not-care-what-others-opinions-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you hit rock bottom in life, dont rush to get back up on your feet. Take your time. Work your way up slowly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-hit-rock-bottom-in-life-dont-rush-to-get-back-up-on-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am a serious reader, and I read slowly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-b-yehoshua/i-am-a-serious-reader-and-i-read-slowly/) [A. B. Yehoshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-b-yehoshua/) [Browse all 861 Slowly quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slowly/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Great talents mature slowly.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lao Tzu" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/great-talents-mature-slowly/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Slowly" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/great-talents-mature-slowly/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/lao-tzu-624_slowly_great-talents-mature-slowly-3223607_3223607.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/lao-tzu-624_slowly_great-talents-mature-slowly-3223607_3223607.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/lao-tzu-624_slowly_great-talents-mature-slowly-3223607_3223607.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Great talents mature slowly.” — Lao Tzu", "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": "Lao Tzu", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Great talents mature slowly.”", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/great-talents-mature-slowly/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/great-talents-mature-slowly/#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 } } ] } ```