Did you know…?

  • After Fred Astaire's first screen test, the MGM testing director dictated a memo that read: "Can't act! Slightly bald! Can dance a little!" Astaire would eventually obtain a copy of that harsh evaluation, and hang it over the fireplace in his Beverly Hills home.

  • A football expert studied Vince Lombardi's coaching and made this observation: "He possesses minimal football knowledge. Lacks motivation." So much for experts!

  • Socrates was charged with being an "immoral corrupter of youth."

  • Book publishers gave Norman Vincent Peale less-than-promising feedback on his writing ability.

  • Einstein was criticized for not wearing socks or cutting his hair.


Human assessment of God-given abilities is often seriously flawed. Don't let criticism deter you from utilizing the talents which God has given you!

Source: "Speaker's Sourcebook 2" (Prentice Hall), p. 2.

Topics/Tags: Ability; Critics; Talents