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.

He who imitates what is evil always goes beyond the example that
is set; on the contrary, he who read more

He who imitates what is evil always goes beyond the example that
is set; on the contrary, he who imitates what is good always
falls short.
[It., L'imitazione del male supera sempre l'esempio; comme per il
contrario, l'imitazione del bene e sempre inferiore.]

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.]

Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing.

Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing.

He who studies to imitate the poet Pindar, O Julius, relies on
artificial wings fastened on with wax, and read more

He who studies to imitate the poet Pindar, O Julius, relies on
artificial wings fastened on with wax, and is sure to give his
name to a glassy sea.
[Lat., Pindarum quisquis studet aemulari,
Iule ceratis ope Daedalea
Nititur pennis, vitreo daturus
Nomina ponto.]

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

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

We are all easily taught to imitate what is base and depraved.
[Lat., Dociles imitandis
Turpibus ac read more

We are all easily taught to imitate what is base and depraved.
[Lat., Dociles imitandis
Turpibus ac pravis omnes sumus.]

Insist on yourself; never imitate.

Insist on yourself; never imitate.

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?