Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c1176IR // #c1176Synthesis

"West might have been a greater painter, had he not been injured by too early success: his fame, though great, was not purchased by study, trials, and difficulties, and it has not been enduring."

— In our words · Source: Self-Help (Samuel Smiles)

[Use when]

Early praise is arriving faster than your skill is growing.

[Why it matters]

This is Smiles's verdict on Benjamin West, a child prodigy. He makes the same point about Rossini through Beethoven: facility that comes too easily can stop the hard practice.

Filed under situations:When you’re building the thing, not just planning it

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