Utter originality is, of course, out of the question.

Utter originality is, of course, out of the question.

The first man to compare the cheeks of a young woman to a rose was obviously a poet; the first read more

The first man to compare the cheeks of a young woman to a rose was obviously a poet; the first to repeat it was possibly an idiot.

All truly wise thoughts have been thought already thousands of times; but to make them truly ours, we must think read more

All truly wise thoughts have been thought already thousands of times; but to make them truly ours, we must think them over again honestly, till they take root in our personal experience.

No bird has ever uttered note That was not in some first bird's throat; Since Eden's freshness and man's read more

No bird has ever uttered note That was not in some first bird's throat; Since Eden's freshness and man's fall No rose has been original.

Originality is the art of concealing your sources

Originality is the art of concealing your sources

The more original a discovery, the more obvious it seems afterwards.

The more original a discovery, the more obvious it seems afterwards.

What a good thing Adam had--when he said a good thing, he knew nobody had said it before.

What a good thing Adam had--when he said a good thing, he knew nobody had said it before.

The more powerful and original a mind, the more it will incline towards the religion of solitude.

The more powerful and original a mind, the more it will incline towards the religion of solitude.

Start with what is right rather than what is acceptable.

Start with what is right rather than what is acceptable.