When a man admires a pretty girl he exercises some of his nobler faulties which he, by his indivudual nature, either cultivates or represses. This leads to wonder, occasionally whether it is genius or its a patron who had been nore artistically endowed.
Sometimes it is not altoghter certain whether it was the garret where the artist starved, the landlord who ownen it, the storekeeper who supplied the canvas, the little girl who watched in awe at the threshold while the artist painted, the brush, or the artist himself, or the painting which was most responsible for the ultimate creation a more individual later declares to be exquisite.
If there is no quarry, there, would be no stone; and if there were no stone, there could be no statue. Moreover, if there were no loyal individuals with enough with innate apprecation to glorify the work of the genius with the chisel only a happless soul would chip away at a block of stone., and a statue would be only another exampleof wasted time.
"Don't forget," boasts the publisher. I first detected the sign of talent . I took a chance on the book when no one else would touch it!" "I encouraged him" says the bosom companion. I stood by him when he needed a friend. I gave him a job, chimes in the employer.
With out me he couldn't have written anything. And I paid him a large sum every week when no one else would hire him for a nickel. Oh I always knew he would make good, affirms the neighbor. Anyone could tell he was gifted--had the look of a great man in his eyes,so he did."
And the author ?...well, he merely wrote the book.
What could be his claim to genius? His talent was inherent. His thoughts just came to him--he couldn't explain why or how--he couldn't even began to understand the processes of his mind. He had read books, true--so had millions of others. His education, in comparison to those who hailed him, was pitifully limited.
He had spent all his time inconstant efford to capitalize upon his own abilities without ever pausing to pay sincere homage to one of his own kind. Isn't there a great deal of genius, after all, in humility which kneels to genius? The noble mind which precieves greatness scales the lofty heights.
One sees beyond the wall after he climbs it. For genius, never masters nor pupil, depends upon the whims of his fellow students. In good companship, it will assert itself with cheer and vigor. If it be among tolerant, but shallow minds, it will become listless and subdued. In ridicule, it will shrink it self into a hard shell until the very spark of life is snuffed out.
True genius is rare, perhaps, but it may not be distinguished simply because it is extrodinary. A sculptor who models a race horse in not necessarily a genius . If he breaths life into it and runs off to win the Kentucky Derby--he is perhaps, a genius, or at least an artist with extraodinary talents.
But the man who can say , when the miraculous animal loses-- with all its masters worldy possessions upon its nose; Well done, my gallant steed! Of common clay wert thou bred; the hands which fashioned you were not skilled enough----"AH! HERE IS GENIUE INDEED!
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