This means that you must work hard to produce the ideas, results or performances that earn the term Genius. Also, it refutes (goes against) the suggestion that genius is all in the mind. (Genius usually is thought of as a person with a very powerful mind.) But this saying takes another approach to the idea. Rather, it allows only a tiny amount (1%) to be contributed to the mind; the rest is hard work.

99% hard work, 1% gifted

exactly. It means hard sincere work (to be what you want to be). Sweat comes when we work hard, isnt it? So, to make it sound good, we say 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration instead of 1% inspiration and 99% hard work. hope this helps. :)

hey..!!

"Genius is one per cent inspiration, ninety-nine per cent perspiration" Thomas A. Edison Yes, this means that genius is largely the result of hard work, rather than an inspired flash of insight.