Invention, strictly speaking, is little more than a new combination of those images which have been previously gathered and deposited in the memory: nothing can come of nothing.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Invention is just combining existing memories and images rather than creating from nothing.
- In plain terms
- New ideas come from mixing old ideas you already know.
- What can you take from it?
- Build new things by combining what you already know.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Where do your ideas come from?
- How do you combine concepts?
Another view
Sometimes true novelty appears without prior memory.
More from Joshua Reynolds
What is a well-chosen collection of pictures, but walls hung round with thoughts?
Permalink to quote #1 You must have no dependence on your own genius. If you have great talents, industry will improve them; if you have but moderate abilities, industry will supply…
Permalink to quote #3 A mere copier of nature can never produce any thing great, can never raise and enlarge the conceptions, or warm the heart of the spectator.
Permalink to quote #4
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