Creativity Quote by Linus Pauling
![“[David Harker asked: Dr Pauling, how do you have so many good ideas?] Well David, I have a lot of ideas and throw away the bad ones.” quote by Linus Pauling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/784/linus-pauling-8508_drs_david-harker-asked-dr-pauling-how-do-you_1987190.jpg)
“[David Harker asked: Dr Pauling, how do you have so many good ideas?] Well David, I have a lot of ideas and throw away the bad ones.”
About This Quote
Pauline suggests that generating many ideas and discarding the poor ones is a productive creative process, emphasizing quantity to discover quality.
In simple terms: Create many ideas, discard the bad.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize idea generation and selection.
Themes
creativity
innovation
critical thinking
Mood
analytical
inspirational
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- brainstorming sessions
- research development
- product design
Key Concepts
design thinking
problem solving
scientific method
Questions to Reflect On
- How many ideas are enough?
- What criteria define a 'bad' idea?
A Different Perspective
The approach may undervalue deep refinement of good ideas.
![“[Professor Pauling] confesses that he had harboured the feeling that sooner or later he would be the one to get the DNA structure; and although he was pleased with the double-helix, he 'rather wished the idea had been his'.” quote by Linus Pauling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d71/linus-pauling-8508_dna_professor-pauling-confesses-that-he-had_319556.jpg)
