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About this quote

What does it mean?
Emerson credits those who share good ideas with nearly as much value as the original creators.
In plain terms
People who spread good ideas are almost as important as those who create them.
What can you take from it?
Share good ideas widely.

Where it applies

  • teaching
  • writing
  • business networking

Putting it to work

  • quote others
  • share articles
  • credit sources

Questions to consider

  • Who introduced you to this idea?
  • How do ideas spread?

Another view

It might undervalue the hard work of original creation.

More from Ralph Waldo Emerson

  1. The heroic cannot be the common, nor can the common be the heroic.

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  2. The profit of books is according to the sensibility of the reader. The profoundest thought or passion sleeps as in a mine until an equal mind and heart finds a…

    Permalink to quote #277
  3. Every man I meet is in some way my superior.

    Permalink to quote #274

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