What does this quote mean, be specific, "Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will

Question

what does this quote mean, be specific, "Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

- Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933)

Answer 1

if you want something or you want to acheive something the only way your going to get there is by consistently failing and then picking yourself up and continuing to try.  Persistence is key to acheiving anything....almost....persitence also leads to getting yer butt kicked sometimes too... but Calvin left that part out... prolly cause he woulda got his but kicked...

Answer 2

It's pretty obvious, actually.  

The whole meaning of the quote suggests you should keep trying to figure it out.

Answer 3

A gifted runner may lack persistence and hence never win a race.

On the other hand, a cripple may persist all day and never win the race because he lacks talent.

It is too sweeping a statement, needing too many qualifications, to be true.

Perhaps Coolidge has not been quoted in the entire context.