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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author recalls an old saying that nothing is truly original.
In plain terms
Everything has been done before.
What can you take from it?
Innovation is often just recycling old ideas.

Where it applies

  • writing
  • innovation
  • historical study

Putting it to work

  • look to history
  • accept patterns
  • refine ideas

Questions to consider

  • Is anything truly new?
  • How does history repeat?

Another view

New things do emerge despite this saying.

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