Vol. 06 · Misquoted ·Attribution ·89 of 348
"Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration. — Edison"
They never said that.
What people say
"Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration. — Edison"
What was actually said
"Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration." (Genuine, but often misattributed in proportion or attributed to others.) Thomas Edison — Edison, ascribed in Harper's Monthly (Sept 1932)
Why it stuck
The line is genuine; it gets misquoted in proportion (10/90, 5/95) and sometimes credited to Einstein.
Know another line by heart?
Play the duel and see how many you can spot. Or browse the whole shelf.