Quotes by Thomas Alva Edison

Thomas Alva Edison

American inventor and founder of General Electric

Alive from: 1847-1931

Category: Economists and businessmen | Science

Quotes 1 till 15 of 61.

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  A famous person is often remembered for the ability to take from mankind rather than for his ability to give to mankind.

• Thomas Alva Edison

  

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  Waste is worse than loss. The time is coming when every person who lays claim to ability will keep the question of waste before him constantly. The scope of thrift is limitless.

• Thomas Alva Edison

  

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  A 'genius' is often merely a talented person who has done all of his or her homework.

• Thomas Alva Edison

  

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  Anything that won't sell, I don't want to invent. Its sale is proof of utility, and utility is success.

• Thomas Alva Edison

  

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  Discontent is the first necessity of progress.

• Thomas Alva Edison

  

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  Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits.

• Thomas Alva Edison

  

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  Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration.

• Thomas Alva Edison

  

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  I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.

• Thomas Alva Edison

  

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  I make more mistakes than anyone else I know, and sooner or later, I patent most of them.

• Thomas Alva Edison

  

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  If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.

• Thomas Alva Edison

  

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  Just because something doesn't do what you planned it to do doesn't mean it's useless.

• Thomas Alva Edison

  

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  Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

• Thomas Alva Edison

  

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  Nearly every man who develops an idea works at it up to the point where it looks impossible, and then gets discouraged. that's not the place to become discouraged.

• Thomas Alva Edison

  

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  One might think that the money value of an invention constitutes its reward to the man who loves his work. But speaking for myself, I can honestly say this is not so... I continue to find my greatest pleasure, and so my reward, in the work that precedes what the world calls success.

• Thomas Alva Edison

  

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  Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
  Source: An Enemy Called Average (1990) by John L. Mason , p. 55.