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?

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.]

An imitative creature is man; whoever is foremost, leads the
herd.
[Ger., Der Mensch ist ein nachahmendes Geschopf.
read more

An imitative creature is man; whoever is foremost, leads the
herd.
[Ger., Der Mensch ist ein nachahmendes Geschopf.
Und wer Vorderste ist, fuhrt die Heerde.]

Insist on yourself; never imitate.

Insist on yourself; never imitate.

Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.

Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.

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.]

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.]

Imitation is the most serious form of flattery

Imitation is the most serious form of flattery

One who imitates what is bad always goes beyond his model; while one who imitates what is good always comes read more

One who imitates what is bad always goes beyond his model; while one who imitates what is good always comes up short of it.