--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is the curse of talent that, although…" description: "\"It is the curse of talent that, although it labors with greater steadiness and perseverance than genius, it does not reach its goal, while genius alrea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/robert-schumann-11519_curse_it-is-the-curse-of-talent-that-although_3007334.jpg" --- # It is the curse of talent that, although it labors with… ![“It is the curse of talent that, although it labors with greater steadiness and perseverance than genius, it does not reach its goal, while genius already on the summit of the ideal, gazes laughingly about.” quote by Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/robert-schumann-11519_curse_it-is-the-curse-of-talent-that-although_3007334.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/robert-schumann-11519_curse_it-is-the-curse-of-talent-that-although_3007334.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/robert-schumann-11519_curse_it-is-the-curse-of-talent-that-although_3007334.jpg) > “It is the curse of talent that, although it labors with greater steadiness and perseverance than genius, it does not reach its goal, while genius already on the summit of the ideal, gazes laughingly about.” [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Talent works steadily but may never reach the summit that genius already enjoys. **In simple terms:** Talent may lag behind genius. Key Takeaway Recognize limits of talent versus genius. Themes talent genius achievement Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - skill development - education Key Concepts psychology creativity motivation Questions to Reflect On - How can talent be nurtured? - What defines true genius? A Different Perspective May undervalue hard work. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Curse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curse/) [Curse Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curse-talent-4804090/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater/) [Greater Steadiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater-steadiness-4804091/) [Ideals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideals/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Labor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labor/) [Perseverance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perseverance/) [Perseverance Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perseverance-genius-1339462/) [Steadiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steadiness/) [Steadiness Perseverance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steadiness-perseverance-1099299/) [Summit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/summit/) [Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talent/) [Talent Labors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talent-labors-4804089/) ## Related quotes > [Too much vigor in the beginning of an undertaking often intercepts and prevents the steadiness and perseverance always necessary in the conduct of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/too-much-vigor-in-the-beginning-of-an-undertaking-often-intercepts/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [It is perseverance, and not genius that takes a man to the top. Rome is full of unrecognized geniuses. Only perseverance enables you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-harris/it-is-perseverance-and-not-genius-that-takes-a-man-to-the-top-rome-is/) [Robert Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-harris/) > [“There is a saying: Genius is perseverance. While genius does not consist entirely of editing, without editing it's pretty useless.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-bell/there-is-a-saying-genius-is-perseverance-while-genius-does-not/) [Susan Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-bell/) > [Genius is divine perseverance. Genius I cannot claim nor even extra brightness but perseverance all can have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/genius-is-divine-perseverance-genius-i-cannot-claim-nor-even-extra/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“1:207-208 STEADINESS Soul guides and prophets have an innate innocence, but they are subject to the same consequences as everyone. If a donkey veers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bahauddin/1-207-208-steadiness-soul-guides-and-prophets-have-an-innate/) [Bahauddin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bahauddin/) > [“How can one know the Self (Soul) as long as one does not know the result of stillness (steadiness)?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/how-can-one-know-the-self-soul-as-long-as-one-does-not-know-the/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [Nobody's cooler than my two girls. They just seem to take whatever comes with, you know - happiness and - steadiness. And they're loving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/nobody-s-cooler-than-my-two-girls-they-just-seem-to-take-whatever/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Love includes vulnerability, surrender, self-valuing, steadiness, and a willingness to face - rather than run from - the worst of ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/love-includes-vulnerability-surrender-self-valuing-steadiness-and-a/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I just think the reassurance and the steadiness and the hands-on kindness can make a huge difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dar-williams/i-just-think-the-reassurance-and-the-steadiness-and-the-hands-on/) [Dar Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dar-williams/) > [How many young men, in all previous times of unprecedented steadiness, had turned suddenly wild and wicked for the same reason, and, in an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/how-many-young-men-in-all-previous-times-of-unprecedented-steadiness/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [The first step to get this noble and manly steadiness, is... carefully keep children from frights of all kinds, when they are young. ...Instances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/the-first-step-to-get-this-noble-and-manly-steadiness-is-carefully/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [I vow... "to not let the back & forth of forgiveness interrupt the steadiness of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/i-vow-to-not-let-the-back-forth-of-forgiveness-interrupt-the/) [Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/) > [“A character for steadiness once gone is not easily recovered”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hughes/a-character-for-steadiness-once-gone-is-not-easily-recovered/) [Thomas Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hughes/) > [Be trustworthy. Steadiness and integrity lead to energetic opening in the other as the blocks in relating dissolve away with deepening trust over time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-friend/be-trustworthy-steadiness-and-integrity-lead-to-energetic-opening-in/) [John Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-friend/) > [I also believe that we have to protect our country and lead the world with strength and steadiness, and we have to unify our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-also-believe-that-we-have-to-protect-our-country-and-lead-the-world/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) ## More by Robert Schumann > [“By means of industry and perseverance you will rise higher and higher.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/by-means-of-industry-and-perseverance-you-will-rise-higher-and-higher/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [When you play, never mind who listens to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/when-you-play-never-mind-who-listens-to-you/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [A fiery, good beginner always stands higher than a master in mediocrity...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/a-fiery-good-beginner-always-stands-higher-than-a-master-in-mediocrity/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Music induces nightingales to sing, pug dogs to yelp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/music-induces-nightingales-to-sing-pug-dogs-to-yelp/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [To compose is to remember music that has never been written.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/to-compose-is-to-remember-music-that-has-never-been-written/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Play always as if in the presence of a master.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/play-always-as-if-in-the-presence-of-a-master/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [You should neither play bad compositions, nor, unless compelled, listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/you-should-neither-play-bad-compositions-nor-unless-compelled-listen/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [If, while at the piano, you attempt to form little melodies, that is very well; but if they come into your mind of themselves,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/if-while-at-the-piano-you-attempt-to-form-little-melodies-that-is/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Art was not created as a way to riches. Strive to become a true artist; all else will take care of itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/art-was-not-created-as-a-way-to-riches-strive-to-become-a-true-artist/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Music - so different from painting - is the art which we enjoy most in company with others. A symphony, presented in a room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/music-so-different-from-painting-is-the-art-which-we-enjoy-most-in/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Believe me, were I ever to accomplish anything, it would be in music, which has always attracted me; and, without overestimating myself, I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/believe-me-were-i-ever-to-accomplish-anything-it-would-be-in-music/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [We shouldn't repeat the same for ages on end, but look into the new as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/we-shouldn-t-repeat-the-same-for-ages-on-end-but-look-into-the-new-as/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [The poet sees better than other mortals. I do not see things as they are, but according to my own subjective impression, and this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/the-poet-sees-better-than-other-mortals-i-do-not-see-things-as-they/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Without enthusiasm nothing great can be effected in art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/without-enthusiasm-nothing-great-can-be-effected-in-art/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [That first concept is alway the most naturally and best. The mind errs, the emotion never.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/that-first-concept-is-alway-the-most-naturally-and-best-the-mind-errs/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) [Explore all 59 Robert Schumann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) ## More Curse quotes > [Who knew the counter-curse was just unjellify?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucius-malfoy/who-knew-the-counter-curse-was-just-unjellify/) [Lucius Malfoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucius-malfoy/) > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [You have been deceived by your own cold heart - a curse upon your house and all within it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beauty-and-the-beast/you-have-been-deceived-by-your-own-cold-heart-a-curse-upon-your-house/) [Beauty And The Beast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beauty-and-the-beast/) > [The old men of the village of Mahotière say that the Mistress of the Water is a mulatto woman. At midnight she comes out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-roumain/the-old-men-of-the-village-of-mahoti-re-say-that-the-mistress-of-the/) [Jacques Roumain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-roumain/) > [“Mary: Some call this "Eve's curse," but I think that is stupid because the real curse of Eve was having to put up with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/mary-some-call-this-eve-s-curse-but-i-think-that-is-stupid-because/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Were you indeed not blinded by the Curse Of Self-exile, that still grows worse and worse, Yourselves would know that, though you see him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farid-al-din-attar/were-you-indeed-not-blinded-by-the-curse-of-self-exile-that-still/) [Farid al-Din Attar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farid-al-din-attar/) > [Down where I grew up, able-bodied people do that which we believe God created them to do. Work is a blessing; it's not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-southerland/down-where-i-grew-up-able-bodied-people-do-that-which-we-believe-god/) [Steve Southerland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-southerland/) > [I especially like the songs Hurry Up and The Curse Of Castle Dragon, and I often include them in my live show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gilbert/i-especially-like-the-songs-hurry-up-and-the-curse-of-castle-dragon/) [Paul Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gilbert/) > [If the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labour, entertainment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/if-the-idea-of-having-to-change-ourselves-makes-us-uncomfortable-we/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [“Mungu akikubariki kipaji chako watu watasema ni laana. Maisha yako ni sawa na mto. Unakoelekea ni baharini. Lakini sasa umefika kwenye mlango wa bahari.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enock-maregesi/mungu-akikubariki-kipaji-chako-watu-watasema-ni-laana-maisha-yako-ni/) [Enock Maregesi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enock-maregesi/) > [Partisanship is our great curse. We too readily assume that everything has two sides and that it is our duty to be on one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-harvey-robinson/partisanship-is-our-great-curse-we-too-readily-assume-that-everything/) [James Harvey Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-harvey-robinson/) > [You have power over my body but the Lord Jesus hath power over my body and soul; and assure yourselves thus much, you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-hutchinson/you-have-power-over-my-body-but-the-lord-jesus-hath-power-over-my/) [Anne Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-hutchinson/) > [“The penis, often regarded as a weapon, is also a burden, the male curse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gay-talese/the-penis-often-regarded-as-a-weapon-is-also-a-burden-the-male-curse/) [Gay Talese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gay-talese/) > [“Beauty will always be a curse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-c-perry/beauty-will-always-be-a-curse/) [L.C. Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-c-perry/) > [“Sometimes," Helena continued, "I have a terrible dream of the future. Not now, but presently, people may forget their loyalty to their kings and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/sometimes-helena-continued-i-have-a-terrible-dream-of-the-future-not/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) [Browse all 1,718 Curse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curse/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is the curse of talent that, although it labors with greater steadiness and perseverance than genius, it does not reach its goal, while genius already on the summit of the ideal, gazes laughingly about.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert Schumann" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/it-is-the-curse-of-talent-that-although-it-labors-with-greater/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Curse" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/it-is-the-curse-of-talent-that-although-it-labors-with-greater/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/robert-schumann-11519_curse_it-is-the-curse-of-talent-that-although_3007334.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/robert-schumann-11519_curse_it-is-the-curse-of-talent-that-although_3007334.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/robert-schumann-11519_curse_it-is-the-curse-of-talent-that-although_3007334.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is the curse of talent that, although it labors with greater steadiness and perseverance than genius, it…” — Robert Schumann", "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": "Robert Schumann", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is the curse of talent...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/it-is-the-curse-of-talent-that-although-it-labors-with-greater/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/it-is-the-curse-of-talent-that-although-it-labors-with-greater/#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 } } ] } ```