--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am not overly impressed by the great…" description: "\"I am not overly impressed by the great names and reputations of those who might be trying to beat me to an invention. It's their 'ideas' that appeal to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fce/thomas-a-edison-866_appeals_i-am-not-overly-impressed-by-the-great-n_2784197.jpg" --- # I am not overly impressed by the great names and… ![“I am not overly impressed by the great names and reputations of those who might be trying to beat me to an invention. It's their 'ideas' that appeal to me. I am quite correctly described as 'more of a sponge than an inventor” quote by Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fce/thomas-a-edison-866_appeals_i-am-not-overly-impressed-by-the-great-n_2784197.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fce/thomas-a-edison-866_appeals_i-am-not-overly-impressed-by-the-great-n_2784197.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fce/thomas-a-edison-866_appeals_i-am-not-overly-impressed-by-the-great-n_2784197.jpg) > “I am not overly impressed by the great names and reputations of those who might be trying to beat me to an invention. It's their 'ideas' that appeal to me. I am quite correctly described as 'more of a sponge than an inventor” [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Edison values ideas over fame, likening himself to a sponge absorbing concepts rather than inventing them. **In simple terms:** Ideas matter more than fame. Key Takeaway Absorb ideas, let them grow. Themes innovation humility learning creativity inspiration Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - research labs - creative brainstorming - education Key Concepts idea absorption intellectual curiosity collaborative mindset Questions to Reflect On - How do you turn ideas into inventions? - What role does collaboration play? A Different Perspective Being a sponge may limit original creation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Innovation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation/) [Invention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invention/) [Inventor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inventor/) [Reputation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reputation/) ## Related quotes > [I am quite correctly described as 'more of a sponge than an inventor…'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/i-am-quite-correctly-described-as-more-of-a-sponge-than-an-inventor/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [I am more of a sponge than an inventor. I absorb ideas from every source. I take half-matured schemes for mechanical development and make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/i-am-more-of-a-sponge-than-an-inventor-i-absorb-ideas-from-every/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [The inventor tries to meet the demand of a crazy civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/the-inventor-tries-to-meet-the-demand-of-a-crazy-civilization/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/if-we-did-all-the-things-we-are-capable-of-doing-we-would-literally/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [I have far more respect for the person with a single idea who gets there than for the person with a thousand ideas who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/i-have-far-more-respect-for-the-person-with-a-single-idea-who-gets/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [I never perfected an invention that I did not think about in terms of the service it might give others... I find out what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/i-never-perfected-an-invention-that-i-did-not-think-about-in-terms-of/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [“Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/genius-is-one-percent-inspiration-ninety-nine-percent-perspiration/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Let the public throw bouquets to the inventors and in time we will all be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/let-the-public-throw-bouquets-to-the-inventors-and-in-time-we-will/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [“ Paine suffered then, as now he suffers not so much because of what he wrote as from the misinterpretations of others... He disbelieved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/paine-suffered-then-as-now-he-suffers-not-so-much-because-of-what-he/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [The inventor can't do it all, you've got to change people. We have an enormous capacity to invent super-machinery. But our desire to install…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/the-inventor-can-t-do-it-all-you-ve-got-to-change-people-we-have-an/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Having a vision for what you want is not enough...Vision without execution is hallucination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/having-a-vision-for-what-you-want-is-not-enough-vision-without/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [IF PARENTS PASS ENTHUSIASM ALONG TO THEIR CHILDREN, THEY WILL LEAVE THEM AN ESTATE OF INCALCULABLE VALUE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/if-parents-pass-enthusiasm-along-to-their-children-they-will-leave/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [“What saves doctors' reputations is the fact that many illnesses are benign and that people can go on living with a large number of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-chevallier/what-saves-doctors-reputations-is-the-fact-that-many-illnesses-are/) [Gabriel Chevallier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-chevallier/) > [I don't believe in destroying GOOD mysteries or adding to BAD reputations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-balance/i-don-t-believe-in-destroying-good-mysteries-or-adding-to-bad/) John Balance > [It takes little or nothing to undo reputations, the merest trifle makes and remakes them, it is simply a question of finding the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-saramago/it-takes-little-or-nothing-to-undo-reputations-the-merest-trifle/) [Jose Saramago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-saramago/) ## More by Thomas A. Edison > [We are striking it big in the electric light, better than my vivid imagination first conceived. Where this thing is going to stop Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/we-are-striking-it-big-in-the-electric-light-better-than-my-vivid/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [I will not say I failed 1000 times, I will say that I discovered there are 1000 ways that can cause failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/i-will-not-say-i-failed-1000-times-i-will-say-that-i-discovered-there/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Friendship is the heaven of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/friendship-is-the-heaven-of-life/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Even though I am nearly deaf, I seem to be gifted with a kind of inner hearing which enables me to detect sounds and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/even-though-i-am-nearly-deaf-i-seem-to-be-gifted-with-a-kind-of-inner/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/being-busy-does-not-always-mean-real-work-the-object-of-all-work-is/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [The very first thing an executive must have is a fine memory. Of course it does not follow that a man with a fine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/the-very-first-thing-an-executive-must-have-is-a-fine-memory-of/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Personally, I enjoy working about 18 hours a day. Besides the short catnaps I take each day, I average about four to five hours…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/personally-i-enjoy-working-about-18-hours-a-day-besides-the-short/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [The brain can be developed just the same as the muscles can be developed, if on will only take the pains to train the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/the-brain-can-be-developed-just-the-same-as-the-muscles-can-be/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [“People who will not turn a shovel full of dirt on the project nor contribute a pound of material, will collect more money from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/people-who-will-not-turn-a-shovel-full-of-dirt-on-the-project-nor/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [When I have fully decided that a result is worth getting I go ahead of it and make trial after trial until it comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/when-i-have-fully-decided-that-a-result-is-worth-getting-i-go-ahead/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [I remember that I was never able to get along at school. I was at the foot of the class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/i-remember-that-i-was-never-able-to-get-along-at-school-i-was-at-the/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Invention is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/invention-is-10-inspiration-and-90-perspiration/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [There seems to be no limit to which some men will go to avoid the labor of thinking. Thinking is hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/there-seems-to-be-no-limit-to-which-some-men-will-go-to-avoid-the/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Somewhere between the ages of eleven and fifteen, the average child begins to suffer from an atrophy, the paralysis of curiosity and the suspension…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/somewhere-between-the-ages-of-eleven-and-fifteen-the-average-child/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Not only will atomic power be released, but someday we will harness the rise and fall of the tides and imprison the rays of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/not-only-will-atomic-power-be-released-but-someday-we-will-harness/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) [Explore all 345 Thomas A. 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No thanks!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/all-the-cliches-of-glamorous-sophistication-have-little-appeal-to-me/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [It's an appeal as old as America and its presidency: This is an extraordinary country populated by hard-working, big-dreaming, freedom-loving people graced by God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-fournier/it-s-an-appeal-as-old-as-america-and-its-presidency-this-is-an/) [Ron Fournier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-fournier/) > [I liked wrestling a lot better than boxing. I remember thinking at that time that wrestling was a pure demonstration of strength, which I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-carpenter/i-liked-wrestling-a-lot-better-than-boxing-i-remember-thinking-at/) [Scott Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-carpenter/) > [As a social and as a personal force, religion has become a dependent variable. It does not originate; it reacts. 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