Imitation is at least 50 percent of the creative process

Imitation is at least 50 percent of the creative process

I used to make original snowmen, but it was time consuming, hard work. So I said, heck, this is crazy! read more

I used to make original snowmen, but it was time consuming, hard work. So I said, heck, this is crazy! Now I crank out crude imitations of what's already popular! It takes no time or thought, and most people don't care about the difference, anyway! And what good is originality if you can't crank it out?

Imitators are a slavish herd and fools in my opinion.
[Fr., C'est un betail servile et sot a mon read more

Imitators are a slavish herd and fools in my opinion.
[Fr., C'est un betail servile et sot a mon avis
Que les imitateurs.]

Imitation is the most serious form of flattery

Imitation is the most serious form of flattery

Paradoxically though it may seem, it is none the less true that
life imitates art far more than art read more

Paradoxically though it may seem, it is none the less true that
life imitates art far more than art imitates life.

I would advise him who wishes to imitate well, to look closely
into life and manners, and thereby to read more

I would advise him who wishes to imitate well, to look closely
into life and manners, and thereby to learn to express them with
truth.
[Lat., Respicere exemplar vitae morumque jubebo
Doctum imitatorem, et veras hinc ducere voces.]

Imitation, if noble and general, insures the best hope of originality.

Imitation, if noble and general, insures the best hope of originality.

Posterity weaves no garlands for imitators.

Posterity weaves no garlands for imitators.

To be as good as our fathers we must be better, imitation is not discipleship

To be as good as our fathers we must be better, imitation is not discipleship