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About this quote

What does it mean?
Originality may be perceived rather than real, suggesting all ideas build on existing ones.
In plain terms
Nothing is truly new; everything borrows from the past.
What can you take from it?
Build on existing ideas instead of chasing false originality.

Where it applies

  • artistic creation
  • innovation
  • problem solving

Putting it to work

  • study predecessors
  • mix old ideas
  • avoid reinventing

Questions to consider

  • Is anything truly new?
  • How much is borrowed?

Another view

Some breakthroughs genuinely break from prior work.

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