There are two kinds of talent, man-made talent and God-given

Hear the wise and timeless words of Pearl Bailey, who spoke of the gifts of the spirit and the labor of the hands: “There are two kinds of talent, man-made talent and God-given talent. With man-made talent you must work very hard. With God-given talent, you need only touch it up once in a while.” These words reveal the mystery of human ability — that some gifts are forged through unrelenting effort, while others are bestowed freely by the divine.

The first path, that of man-made talent, is the road of discipline and perseverance. It is the path of those who begin with little, yet through sweat and steadfast work, craft skill where none was present before. This talent is like iron drawn from the earth, rough and unformed until shaped by fire and hammer. Its glory lies not in ease, but in the courage to rise again and again, building mastery through determination.

The second path is rarer: God-given talent. Such gifts descend like rain from the heavens, flowing naturally from the soul without struggle. Those who possess them shine effortlessly, as stars shine in the night sky. They need only to “touch it up once in a while,” to tend lightly to the gift so that it remains bright. Yet, even this blessing bears responsibility, for a divine gift unused or squandered fades like a neglected flame.

Bailey’s words remind us that both forms of talent have value. The one who toils through man-made effort shows the strength of human will, while the one who bears God-given grace shows the mystery of creation itself. Neither path is free of challenge: the laborer must fight weariness, and the blessed must guard against pride. True greatness comes when effort and divine blessing walk hand in hand.

Let future generations take this lesson to heart: do not envy the natural gift, nor despise the hard-won skill. Whether your talent is earned or given, honor it through work and humility. For what matters most is not the source of the gift, but how it is used to bring light to the world and to serve the greater good.