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About this quote

What does it mean?
Nature repeats old patterns rather than creating truly new or unique individuals.
In plain terms
People often feel like copies of old plans instead of original.
What can you take from it?
Real innovation breaks from routine repetition.

Where it applies

  • artistic creation
  • personal growth
  • philosophy

Putting it to work

  • break cycles
  • seek uniqueness

Questions to consider

  • Are we bound by patterns?
  • How do we find originality?

Another view

Nature does create variation, just not always obvious novelty.

More from James Russell Lowell

  1. The little that we do Is but half-nobly true; With our laborious hiving What men call treasure, and the gods call dross, Life seems a jest of Fate's contriving…

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  2. They come transfigured back, Secure from change in their high-hearted ways, Beautiful evermore, and with the rays Of morn on their white Shields of Expectation!

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  3. Our slender life runs rippling by, and glides Into the silent hollow of the past; What is there that abides To make the next age better for the last?

    Permalink to quote #75

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