Who said “Genius is sorrow's child.”?

Misattributed

Not John Adams. It's commonly credited to them, but the evidence shows it isn't theirs.

What the research foundListed as misattributed to John Adams; no source in their known works.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

APA

“Genius is sorrow's child.” [Quotation attributed to John Adams]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/19521-genius-is-sorrows-child/

MLA

“Genius is sorrow's child.” Attributed to John Adams. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/19521-genius-is-sorrows-child/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“Genius is sorrow's child.” Attributed to John Adams. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/19521-genius-is-sorrows-child/.