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About this quote

What does it mean?
Each person should create their own unique work rather than relying on past art.
In plain terms
Build your own masterpiece instead of living off others' old art.
What can you take from it?
Create original work rather than consuming existing culture.

Where it applies

  • artistic practice
  • entrepreneurship
  • personal projects

Putting it to work

  • start creating
  • limit consumption

Questions to consider

  • What cathedral are you building?
  • Are you living off others' work?

Another view

Studying past masters is essential for learning how to create.

More from Jorge Luis Borges

  1. La duda es uno de los nombres de la inteligencia.

    Permalink to quote #128

  2. Que otros se jacten de las paginas que han escrito; a mi me enorgullecen las que he leido.

    Permalink to quote #130

  3. He sospechado alguna vez que la unica cosa sin misterio es la felicidad, porque se justifica por si sola.

    Permalink to quote #127

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