--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Art Tatum -- he was a genius. And…" description: "\"Art Tatum -- he was a genius. And Einstein, not me.\" — Ray Charles" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/913/ray-charles-6406_art_art-tatum-he-was-a-genius-and-einstein-n_3101177.jpg" --- # Art Tatum -- he was a genius. And Einstein, not me. ![“Art Tatum -- he was a genius. And Einstein, not me.” quote by Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/913/ray-charles-6406_art_art-tatum-he-was-a-genius-and-einstein-n_3101177.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/913/ray-charles-6406_art_art-tatum-he-was-a-genius-and-einstein-n_3101177.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/913/ray-charles-6406_art_art-tatum-he-was-a-genius-and-einstein-n_3101177.jpg) > “Art Tatum -- he was a genius. And Einstein, not me.” [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acknowledges admiration for others while expressing humility about one's own talent. **In simple terms:** Admire others, stay humble. Key Takeaway Recognize brilliance in others, keep modest. Themes humility admiration self‑assessment Mood inspirational humble Type reflective motivational When to use this quote - listening to mentors - collaborating with peers - learning from masters Key Concepts musical genius comparative humility Questions to Reflect On - Who inspires you and why? - How do you celebrate your own talents? A Different Perspective Risk of undervaluing personal achievements. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-tatum-2869787/) [Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/einstein/) [Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius/) [Genius Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius-einstein-606295/) [Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tatum-367241/) [Tatum Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tatum-genius-5375777/) ## Related quotes > [Art Tatum was a genius.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aretha-franklin/art-tatum-was-a-genius/) [Aretha Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aretha-franklin/) > [Every positive value has its price in negative terms... the genius of Einstein leads to Hiroshima.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/every-positive-value-has-its-price-in-negative-terms-the-genius-of/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [The genius of Einstein leads to Hiroshima.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/the-genius-of-einstein-leads-to-hiroshima/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [I loved Art Tatum! And, through him, and other different jazz musicians, I actually found my technique.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-bennett/i-loved-art-tatum-and-through-him-and-other-different-jazz-musicians/) [Tony Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-bennett/) > [I can't get very excited about a musician who can do Art Tatum because I've got the Art Tatum records. I want to hear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-giddins/i-can-t-get-very-excited-about-a-musician-who-can-do-art-tatum/) [Gary Giddins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-giddins/) > [Tatum plays so much piano it sounds impossible. The more I hear him, the more I want to give up the piano and drive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-heywood/tatum-plays-so-much-piano-it-sounds-impossible-the-more-i-hear-him/) [Eddie Heywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-heywood/) > [“I’m in this, Tatum. I will wait for you to catch up to what I’m feeling. Nothing is going to change my mind or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaylee-ryan/i-m-in-this-tatum-i-will-wait-for-you-to-catch-up-to-what-i-m-feeling/) [Kaylee Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaylee-ryan/) > [“Look, I’m not saying I look like a catfish or anything, but have you fucking seen him? He’s the kind of guy who makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amalie-silver/look-i-m-not-saying-i-look-like-a-catfish-or-anything-but-have-you/) [Amalie Silver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amalie-silver/) > [Jack Tatum could hit a man so hard that it would lift both his feet off the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-hayes/jack-tatum-could-hit-a-man-so-hard-that-it-would-lift-both-his-feet/) [Woody Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-hayes/) > [“Her eyes were glued to the tv; she didn't even notice when half of the noodles she'd attempted to cram in her mouth fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-snyder/her-eyes-were-glued-to-the-tv-she-didn-t-even-notice-when-half-of-the/) [Jennifer Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-snyder/) > [“Holy fuck, Jesus, shit, you’re Tatum Jackson”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/holy-fuck-jesus-shit-you-re-tatum-jackson/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [“I stopped looking around when I heard a soft “mew” and I looked toward Tate to see he was crouched. He straightened and turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/i-stopped-looking-around-when-i-heard-a-soft-mew-and-i-looked-toward/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [In period films, it always helps to have someone built to carry a sword, and Channing Tatum clearly hasn't missed a workout for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-mitchell/in-period-films-it-always-helps-to-have-someone-built-to-carry-a/) [Elvis Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-mitchell/) > ['Channing Tatum plays a stripper? I don't wanna see that.' Said no one ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/channing-tatum-plays-a-stripper-i-don-t-wanna-see-that-said-no-one/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You’re different, Tatum. I will fight every day until you understand what you mean to me. I know this is fast, but my heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaylee-ryan/you-re-different-tatum-i-will-fight-every-day-until-you-understand/) [Kaylee Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaylee-ryan/) ## More by Ray Charles > [Learning to read music in Braille and play by ear helped me develop a damn good memory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/learning-to-read-music-in-braille-and-play-by-ear-helped-me-develop-a/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) > [The important thing is to feel your music, really feel it and believe it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/the-important-thing-is-to-feel-your-music-really-feel-it-and-believe/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) > [I suppose I've always done my share of crying, especially when there's no other way to contain my feelings. I know that men ain't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/i-suppose-i-ve-always-done-my-share-of-crying-especially-when-there-s/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) > [You never can overwhelm an instrument. You will never get out all that's in an instrument. An instrument will bring you to your limits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/you-never-can-overwhelm-an-instrument-you-will-never-get-out-all-that/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) > [I'd like to think that when I sing a song, I can let you know all about the heartbreak, struggle, lies and kicks in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/i-d-like-to-think-that-when-i-sing-a-song-i-can-let-you-know-all/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) > [I never wanted to be famous. I only wanted to be great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/i-never-wanted-to-be-famous-i-only-wanted-to-be-great/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) > [I don't know what would have happened to me if I hadn't been able to hear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/i-don-t-know-what-would-have-happened-to-me-if-i-hadn-t-been-able-to/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) > [Any artist, when he goes in to record, should have the feeling that any song he records can be a hit. This may sound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/any-artist-when-he-goes-in-to-record-should-have-the-feeling-that-any/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) > [The words to country songs are very earthy like the blues. They're not as dressed up and the people are very honest and say,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/the-words-to-country-songs-are-very-earthy-like-the-blues-they-re-not/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) > [If you can play the blues, you can do anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/if-you-can-play-the-blues-you-can-do-anything/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) > [Dreams, if they're any good, are always a little bit crazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/dreams-if-they-re-any-good-are-always-a-little-bit-crazy/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) > [Music to me is just like breathing. I have to have it. It's part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/music-to-me-is-just-like-breathing-i-have-to-have-it-it-s-part-of-me/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) > [I set my own rhythm, and I do believe it was usually a little faster than most other people's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/i-set-my-own-rhythm-and-i-do-believe-it-was-usually-a-little-faster/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) > [I was born with music inside me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/i-was-born-with-music-inside-me/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) > [I had to pawn my clothes just to pay my rent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/i-had-to-pawn-my-clothes-just-to-pay-my-rent/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) [Explore all 98 Ray Charles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Art Tatum -- he was a genius. And Einstein, not me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ray Charles" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/art-tatum-he-was-a-genius-and-einstein-not-me/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/art-tatum-he-was-a-genius-and-einstein-not-me/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/913/ray-charles-6406_art_art-tatum-he-was-a-genius-and-einstein-n_3101177.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/913/ray-charles-6406_art_art-tatum-he-was-a-genius-and-einstein-n_3101177.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/913/ray-charles-6406_art_art-tatum-he-was-a-genius-and-einstein-n_3101177.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Art Tatum -- he was a genius. And Einstein, not me.” — Ray Charles", "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": "Ray Charles", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Art Tatum -- he was a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/art-tatum-he-was-a-genius-and-einstein-not-me/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/art-tatum-he-was-a-genius-and-einstein-not-me/#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 } } ] } ```