Who said “To do easily what is difficult for others is the mark of talent. To do what is…”?

Verified

Henri Frederic Amiel. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceJournal Intime (1882), 17 December 1856

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“To do easily what is difficult for others is the mark of talent. To do what is impossible for talent is the mark of genius.”
— Henri Frederic Amiel
VerifiedJournal Intime (1882), 17 December 1856 · evidenceGenius

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Journal Intime (1882), 17 December 1856.

APA

Amiel, H. F. (n.d.). To do easily what is difficult for others is the mark of talent. To do what is impossible for talent is the mark of genius. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/19524-to-do-easily-what-is-difficult-for-others/

MLA

Amiel, Henri Frederic. “To do easily what is difficult for others is the mark of talent. To do what is impossible for talent is the mark of genius.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/19524-to-do-easily-what-is-difficult-for-others/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Amiel, Henri Frederic. “To do easily what is difficult for others is the mark of talent. To do what is impossible for talent is the mark of genius.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/19524-to-do-easily-what-is-difficult-for-others/.

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“Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark.”
VerifiedJournal Intime (1882), 27 October 1856 · evidenceDetails & citePassion
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