Thomas Edison Quotes on Greatness and Innovation
March 21, 2023 5:00 AM EST
These Thomas Edison quotes are sure to motivate you to never give up.
If you thought these quotes were inspiring, share your favorite in the comments below.
Thomas Edison was an American inventor, scientist, and businessman who is regarded as being one of the most prolific inventors of all time.
He had a major impact on modern life, contributing inventions in areas such as electric power generation, communication, motion pictures, and sound recording.
Research published in the Journal of Creative Behavior suggests that creativity and innovation can enhance problem-solving skills and lead to greater success in the workplace.
Thomas Edison’s quotes on innovation and thinking outside the box may inspire readers to approach challenges with a creative and innovative mindset, leading to greater success and achievement.
Born on February 11, 1847, in Milan, Ohio, Edison would work as a telegraph operator early in his career.
He developed many of his early inventions in his first laboratory facility in Menlo Park, New Jersey, which he established in 1876.
By the time of his death in 1931, Edison had more than 1,000 patents for his inventions.
He is considered one of America’s greatest inventors and will always be remembered as someone who never let failure stop him from achieving his purpose.
He persevered until he found what he wanted.
As a man who lived an active and complex life full of projects and business ventures, Edison clearly used his Everyday Power well.
There are a lot of lessons we can learn from his life and words of wisdom.
In his honor, below is our collection of inspirational, wise and thought-provoking Thomas Edison quotes and Thomas Edison sayings, collected from a variety of sources over the years.
Don’t forget to also read our compilation of thoughtful Nikola Tesla quotes for understanding humanity.
Check out our most popular quote article, a list of short inspirational quotes for daily inspiration.
Check out our entire collection of motivational quotes here.
Thomas Edison quotes on greatness and innovation
According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, 81% of Americans believe that science has made life easier for most people.
Thomas Edison’s numerous inventions, including the electric light bulb and phonograph, are examples of how innovation can improve people’s lives and make the world a better place.
1. “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about greatness and innovation](images/thomas-edison-quotes-1.jpg)
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2. “What you are will show in what you do.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about what you are will show in what you do](images/thomas-edison-quotes-2.jpg)
3. “Just because something doesn’t do what you planned it to do doesn’t mean it’s useless.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about something doesn't what you planned](images/thomas-edison-quotes-3.jpg)
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4. “To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes to invent, you need a goog imagination and a pile of junk](images/thomas-edison-quotes-4.jpg)
5. “Your worth consists in what you are and not in what you have.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about your worth](images/thomas-edison-quotes-5.jpg)
6. “Not everything of value in life comes from books- experience the world.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about value in life](images/thomas-edison-quotes-6.jpg)
7. “The value of an idea lies in the using of it.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about the value of an idea](images/thomas-edison-quotes-7.jpg)
8. “Hard work, nothing to divert my thought, clear air and simple food made my life very pleasant.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about hard work](images/thomas-edison-quotes-8.jpg)
9. “Vision without execution is hallucination.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about vision without excution is hallucination](images/thomas-edison-quotes-9.jpg)
10. “You can’t realize your dreams unless you have one to begin with.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about your dreams](images/thomas-edison-quotes-10.jpg)
Thomas Edison quotes on success
Research by the University of Michigan showed that setting goals and having a plan of action is associated with greater success and achievement.
Thomas Edison’s quotes on innovation and creativity may encourage readers to set ambitious goals and develop a clear strategy for achieving them.
11. “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about opportunity](images/thomas-edison-quotes-11.jpg)
12. “If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about things we are capable](images/thomas-edison-quotes-12.jpg)
13. “We shall have no better conditions in the future if we are satisfied with all those which we have at present.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about better conditions](images/thomas-edison-quotes-13.jpg)
14. “I’ve never made a mistake. I’ve only learned from experience.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about learn from experience](images/thomas-edison-quotes-14.jpg)
15. “I don’t live with the past; I am living for to-day and to-morrow.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about living for today and tomorrow](images/thomas-edison-quotes-15.jpg)
16. “What a man’s mind can create, man’s character should control.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about what's mans mind can create](images/thomas-edison-quotes-16.jpg)
17. “I readily absorb ideas from every source, frequently starting where the last person left off.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about ideas from every source](images/thomas-edison-quotes-17.jpg)
18. “Inspiration can be found in a pile of junk. Sometimes, you can put it together with a good imagination and invent something.” – Thomas A. Edison
![Inspiration thomas edison quotes](images/thomas-edison-quotes-18.jpg)
19. “Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about satisfied mand and a failure man](images/thomas-edison-quotes-19.jpg)
20. “Success is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration!” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about success](images/thomas-edison-quotes-20.jpg)
21. “Good fortune often happens when opportunity meets with preparation.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about good fortune](images/thomas-edison-quotes-21.jpg)
Also read these innovation quotes to motivate you to create.
Thomas Edison quotes to motivate you to reach your goals
22. “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about greatest weakness](images/thomas-edison-quotes-22.jpg)
23. “Never get discouraged if you fail. Learn from it. Keep trying.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about Motivation](images/thomas-edison-quotes-23.jpg)
24. “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about life's failures](images/thomas-edison-quotes-24.jpg)
25. “Discontent is the first necessity of progress.” – Thomas A. Edison
![thomas edison quotes about discontent is the first necessity of progress](images/thomas-edison-quotes-25.jpg)
Which of these Thomas Edison quotes was your favorite?
Although Thomas Edison is credited with the many tools and conveniences of modern life, he did not have an easy path towards greatness.
He started from humble beginnings and worked his way to becoming an inventor of major technology.
As one of the greatest inventors of all time, there’s a lot every one of us can learn from Edison’s life.
Hopefully, these words of wisdom from the “Wizard of Menlo Park” have taught and inspired you.
Did you enjoy these Thomas Edison quotes?
What other Thomas Edison quotes would you like to share with us?
We would love to hear all about it in the comment section below.
Doreen Fernandez
April 15, 2020 at 3:24 AM
Yes, they’re very inspirational. I trying to find if he said, a life not lived for othdrs, is not worth living.
William A Andrzejewski
January 9, 2019 at 11:11 AM
The richest quotes ever written!