In Defense of Genius
Ernest Hall
Annual Lecture to the Arts Council of England, 8 February 1996
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We must begin by respecting the uniqueness and genius of every individual. The great cellist Pablo Casals wrote:
"When will we teach our children in school what they are. We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all of the world there is no other child exactly like you. In the millions of years that have passed there has never been another child like you - look at your body. What a wonder it is. your legs, your arms, your cunning fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up can you then form another who is like you a marvel."