--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Talent is what you possess; genius is…" description: "\"Talent is what you possess; genius is what possesses you.\" — Malcolm Cowley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c08/malcolm-cowley-25549_genius_talent-is-what-you-possess-genius-is-wha_1717005.png" --- # Talent is what you possess; genius is what possesses you. ![“Talent is what you possess; genius is what possesses you.” quote by Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c08/malcolm-cowley-25549_genius_talent-is-what-you-possess-genius-is-wha_1717005.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c08/malcolm-cowley-25549_genius_talent-is-what-you-possess-genius-is-wha_1717005.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c08/malcolm-cowley-25549_genius_talent-is-what-you-possess-genius-is-wha_1717005.png) > “Talent is what you possess; genius is what possesses you.” [Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Talent is a skill you develop; genius is an external force that drives you beyond your own control. **In simple terms:** Talent is learned; genius is beyond your control Key Takeaway Recognize and harness the genius that moves you. Themes creativity self‑awareness mastery Mood motivational analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - writing - innovation - problem solving Key Concepts psychology of creativity influence of inspiration Questions to Reflect On - How can you cultivate talent without waiting for genius? - When does genius become a crutch? A Different Perspective Relying on genius can diminish personal effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius/) [Genius Possesses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius-possesses-1300966/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Possess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possess/) [Possess Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possess-genius-1300965/) [Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talent/) [Talent Possess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talent-possess-1300964/) ## Related quotes > [“If I possess any genius whatsoever, it is found in recognizing that I am not a genius.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/if-i-possess-any-genius-whatsoever-it-is-found-in-recognizing-that-i/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [Nothing is more piquant than when a man of genius possesses mannerisms; not so when they possess him -- this leads to spiritual petrification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-wilhelm-friedrich-schlegel/nothing-is-more-piquant-than-when-a-man-of-genius-possesses/) [Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-wilhelm-friedrich-schlegel/) > [A man possesses talent; genius possesses the man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-stern/a-man-possesses-talent-genius-possesses-the-man/) [Isaac Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-stern/) > [A man of genuine literary genius, since he possesses a temperament whose susceptibilities are of wider area than those of any other, is inevitably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-branch-cabell/a-man-of-genuine-literary-genius-since-he-possesses-a-temperament/) [James Branch Cabell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-branch-cabell/) > [Men of genius are far more abundant than is supposed. In fact, to appreciate thoroughly the work of what we call genius, is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-allan-poe/men-of-genius-are-far-more-abundant-than-is-supposed-in-fact-to/) [Edgar Allan Poe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-allan-poe/) > [Two sorts of writers possess genius: those who think, and those who cause others to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/two-sorts-of-writers-possess-genius-those-who-think-and-those-who/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Everyone may speak truly, but to speak logically, prudently, and adequately is a talent few possess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/everyone-may-speak-truly-but-to-speak-logically-prudently-and/) [Michel De Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/we-are-always-more-anxious-to-be-distinguished-for-a-talent-which-we-3/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“I certainly have not the talent which some possess of conversing easily with those I have never seen before.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/i-certainly-have-not-the-talent-which-some-possess-of-conversing/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [Wit is the most dangerous talent you can possess. It must be guarded with great discretion and good-nature, otherwise it will create you many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gregory/wit-is-the-most-dangerous-talent-you-can-possess-it-must-be-guarded/) [John Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gregory/) > [We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/we-are-always-more-anxious-to-be-distinguished-for-a-talent-which-we-2/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [You have no control over how much talent you possess. You control only what you do with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-have-no-control-over-how-much-talent-you-possess-you-control-only/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grdhzljr/we-are-always-more-anxious-to-be-distinguished-for-a-talent-which-we/) [Grdhzljr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grdhzljr/) > [What 'Hundred' has done for me, it has open up avenues where people find more things about me, other than my body or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karan-wahi/what-hundred-has-done-for-me-it-has-open-up-avenues-where-people-find/) [Karan Wahi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karan-wahi/) > [“Success is not something that must be deserved or earned. It is more an inherent right—an inherent responsibility. The only qualification for success is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/success-is-not-something-that-must-be-deserved-or-earned-it-is-more/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) ## More by Malcolm Cowley > [“There would seem to be four stages in the composition of a story. First comes the germ of the story, then a period of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/there-would-seem-to-be-four-stages-in-the-composition-of-a-story/) [Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) > [First New York was a sort of provincial capital, bigger and richer than Manchester or Marseilles, but not much different in its essential spirit.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/first-new-york-was-a-sort-of-provincial-capital-bigger-and-richer/) [Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) > [“Everywhere was the atmosphere of a long debauch that had to end; the orchestras played too fast, the stakes were too high at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/everywhere-was-the-atmosphere-of-a-long-debauch-that-had-to-end-the/) [Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) > [Authors are sometimes like tomcats: They distrust all the other toms but they are kind to kittens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/authors-are-sometimes-like-tomcats-they-distrust-all-the-other-toms/) [Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) > [Writing offers fairly large rewards to a few successful people, but the rewards come late, and most writers are failures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/writing-offers-fairly-large-rewards-to-a-few-successful-people-but/) [Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) > [“They were learning that New York had another life, too — subterranean, like almost everything that was human in the city — a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/they-were-learning-that-new-york-had-another-life-too-subterranean/) [Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) > [The germ of a story is a new and simple element introduced into an existing situation or mood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/the-germ-of-a-story-is-a-new-and-simple-element-introduced-into-an/) [Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) > [Age is not different from earlier life as long as youre sitting down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/age-is-not-different-from-earlier-life-as-long-as-youre-sitting-down/) [Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) > [They tell you that you'll lose your mind when you grow older. What they don't tell you is that you won't miss it very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/they-tell-you-that-you-ll-lose-your-mind-when-you-grow-older-what/) [Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) > [In matters like writing and painting, a man does what he has to do - if he has to write, why then, he writes;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/in-matters-like-writing-and-painting-a-man-does-what-he-has-to-do-if/) [Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) > [It is the fear of being as dependent as a young child, while not being loved as a child is loved, but merely being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/it-is-the-fear-of-being-as-dependent-as-a-young-child-while-not-being/) [Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) > [I never cease to be amazed why some of my friends became famous and others, just as talented, didn't. I've come to suspect it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/i-never-cease-to-be-amazed-why-some-of-my-friends-became-famous-and/) [Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) > [Going back to Hemingway's work after several years is like going back to a brook where you had often fished and finding the woods…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/going-back-to-hemingway-s-work-after-several-years-is-like-going-back/) [Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) > [Be kind and considerate with your criticism... It's just as hard to write a bad book as it is to write a good book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/be-kind-and-considerate-with-your-criticism-it-s-just-as-hard-to/) [Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) > [“No complete son of a bitch ever wrote a good sentence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/no-complete-son-of-a-bitch-ever-wrote-a-good-sentence/) [Malcolm Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) [Explore all 23 Malcolm Cowley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/) ## More Genius quotes > [“If people fully understand you, they will think of you as a normal, if they half understand you, will think of you as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/if-people-fully-understand-you-they-will-think-of-you-as-a-normal-if/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [Woman, in short, has an unconscious life, man a conscious life, and the genius the most conscious life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-weininger/woman-in-short-has-an-unconscious-life-man-a-conscious-life-and-the/) [Otto Weininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-weininger/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The truth is I've just never had any kind of plan at all for my career, which is probably not a very flattering thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ty-burrell/the-truth-is-i-ve-just-never-had-any-kind-of-plan-at-all-for-my/) [Ty Burrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ty-burrell/) > [What we shall need is not geniuses, or cynics, or misanthropes, or clever tacticians, but plain, honest, straghtforward men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/what-we-shall-need-is-not-geniuses-or-cynics-or-misanthropes-or/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) > [I have known many chess players, but among them there has been only one genius - Capablanca!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/i-have-known-many-chess-players-but-among-them-there-has-been-only/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [A time will come when the science of destruction shall bend before the arts of peace; when the genius which multiplies our powers, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-arago/a-time-will-come-when-the-science-of-destruction-shall-bend-before/) [Francois Arago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-arago/) > [One is not born a genius, one becomes a genius; and the feminine situation has up to the present rendered this becoming practically impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/one-is-not-born-a-genius-one-becomes-a-genius-and-the-feminine/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [The beginning of genius is being scared shitless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-ferdinand-celine/the-beginning-of-genius-is-being-scared-shitless/) [Louis-Ferdinand Celine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-ferdinand-celine/) > [Treason implies responsibility for something, control over something, influence upon something, knowledge of something. Treason in our time is a proof of genius. Why,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/treason-implies-responsibility-for-something-control-over-something/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/mediocrity-knows-nothing-higher-than-itself-but-talent-instantly/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [With the proper training, I could've been an evil genius.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/with-the-proper-training-i-could-ve-been-an-evil-genius/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [Never try to judge any one](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajat-dogra/never-try-to-judge-any-one/) [Rajat Dogra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajat-dogra/) > [“genius is a path that we can all take and derive much benefit, happiness, fulfillment, and success from...not a genetic windfall or divine gift.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-patrick/genius-is-a-path-that-we-can-all-take-and-derive-much-benefit/) [Sean Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-patrick/) [Browse all 5,125 Genius quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Talent is what you possess; genius is what possesses you.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Malcolm Cowley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/talent-is-what-you-possess-genius-is-what-possesses-you/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Genius" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/talent-is-what-you-possess-genius-is-what-possesses-you/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c08/malcolm-cowley-25549_genius_talent-is-what-you-possess-genius-is-wha_1717005.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c08/malcolm-cowley-25549_genius_talent-is-what-you-possess-genius-is-wha_1717005.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c08/malcolm-cowley-25549_genius_talent-is-what-you-possess-genius-is-wha_1717005.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Talent is what you possess; genius is what possesses you.” — Malcolm Cowley", "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": "Malcolm Cowley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-cowley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Talent is what you possess; genius...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/talent-is-what-you-possess-genius-is-what-possesses-you/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-cowley/talent-is-what-you-possess-genius-is-what-possesses-you/#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 } } ] } ```