Thomas Edison

Light bulb, phonograph, inventor

Modern influential 89 sayings

Sayings by Thomas Edison

Until man duplicates a blade of grass, nature can laugh at his so-called scientific knowledge.

Late 19th - early 20th century (approximate) — A humbling and somewhat poetic statement about the limits of human science.
Humorous Unverifiable

Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.

1910 — On ethics and animal welfare
Controversial Unverifiable

I owe my success to the fact that I never had a watch or a clock in my laboratory.

Early 20th Century — Reported in various biographies
Humorous Unverifiable

Anything that won't sell, I don't want to invent.

Early 20th Century — Reflecting his pragmatic approach to invention.
Humorous Unverifiable

I readily admit that I have been a crank in my life.

Early 20th Century — Interview or personal reflection.
Humorous Unverifiable

My main purpose in life is to make money so that I can afford to carry on more experiments.

Late 19th Century — Reported by contemporaries.
Humorous Unverifiable

I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.

1931 — Interview with Henry Ford
Humorous Unverifiable

I am not a scientist. I am an inventor.

Early 20th Century — Distinguishing his role from pure scientific research.
Humorous Unverifiable

I make more mistakes than anyone I know, and sooner or later, I patent them all.

Late 19th Century — Often cited as an example of his iterative process.
Humorous Unverifiable

There will be more women than men inventors in the future.

Early 20th Century — Interview or public statement.
Humorous Unverifiable

I can hire half of the people in the country to do the thinking for me, but I can't hire people to be enthusiastic.

Early 20th Century — Reported in discussions about his team.
Humorous Unverifiable

The first thing is to find out what the world needs; then proceed to invent it.

Late 19th Century — Reflecting his market-driven approach.
Humorous Unverifiable

I have not failed 10,000 times. I have successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.

Late 19th Century — A variation of his famous quote, often used to emphasize perseverance.
Humorous Unverifiable

I could always invent something for which there was a demand.

Early 20th Century — Reflecting on his career.
Humorous Unverifiable

What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.

Early 20th Century — Often attributed, though sometimes also to Napoleon Hill.
Humorous Unverifiable

I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day.

Early 20th Century — Personal reflection.
Humorous Unverifiable

I am long on ideas, but short on time. I expect to live only to 100.

Early 20th Century — Humorous reflection on his ambition.
Humorous Unverifiable

I don't think there's any substitute for a good idea.

Early 20th Century — On the importance of innovation.
Humorous Unverifiable

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.

Late 19th Century — Possibly a personal observation or found in his notebooks.
Humorous Unverifiable

The world is full of people who are always waiting for someone else to do something about their problems.

Early 20th Century — Reported in various sources.
Humorous Unverifiable