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Towering genius disdains a beaten path. It seeks regions hitherto…

Quote byAbraham Lincoln · 1809–1865

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Lyceum Address (1838), Often the portion of this passage on "Towering genius..." is quoted without any mention or acknowledgment that Lincoln was speaking of the need to sometimes hold the ambitions of such genius in check, when individuals aim at their own personal aggrandizement rather than th.

English (original)

Towering genius disdains a beaten path. It seeks regions hitherto unexplored. — It sees no distinction in adding story to story, upon the monuments of fame, erected to the memory of others. It denies that it is glory enough to serve under any chief. It scorns to tread in the footsteps of any predecessor, however illustrious. It thirsts and burns for distinction

— Abraham Lincoln

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