Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree,

 "Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid."

— Misattributed to Albert Einstein

This widely shared quote delivers a powerful message about individuality and the dangers of standardized expectations. While it may not have actually been said by Einstein, its sentiment aligns with his appreciation for creativity and non-conformity.

The fish and tree metaphor illustrates how judging someone based on irrelevant criteria can crush confidence and obscure true potential. Genius takes many forms—art, science, kindness, intuition—and comparing everyone by the same standard ignores their unique gifts.