Men give me credit for some genius. All the genius I have is this. When I have a subject in mind. I study it profoundly. Day and night it is before me. My mind becomes pervaded with it... the effort which I have made is what people are pleased to call the fruit of genius. It is the fruit of labor and thought.

Summary

In this quote, the speaker emphasizes that their achievements are not solely derived from inherent genius, but rather from a diligent and focused approach to their work. They explain that their perceived genius is a result of immersing themselves in a specific subject, dedicating extensive time and effort to studying it thoroughly. The speaker implies that their success is not simply a product of innate talent, but rather the outcome of dedicated work and deep contemplation, challenging the notion that genius is a quality solely bestowed upon a select few.

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