Can genius be defined?

Genius is that power, which enables you to do absolutely without effort what others cannot do with the most intense labour and struggle. 

Genius is always spontaneous, as rapid as light, as free as a bird in the transports of a bird's pure life. 

Genius cannot be explained. 

It can be illustrated―it cannot be demonstrated because only the God of the Universe knows what genius is, and genius never tells.

Nearly all geniuses entered your world amid the surroundings of the crude and the humble. 

The crude and the humble things of your environment are most in harmony with the great laws that sweep, as do the fingers of the harpist, the chords of a golden harp. 

Genius comes from higher planes. 

Millions of people and the mellowing influence of numbers of years are necessary to call forth that genius who will be a saviour to his or her age. 

The coming of a genius is an answer to the prayers of a population. 

The coming of a man who is a revelation to his age is the answer to the conditions set up by the masses of the people.

All the elements of your age with deep diffusion of immortal music are calling for a genius who will lift humanity from the boundless gulf. 

I hear far away celestial music, murmuring it shall be―that prayer will be answered.  

I shall speak through others often. 

I love you all.

—Shakespeare