Ainsi presque tout est imitation. L'idee des Lettres persanes est prise de celle de l'Espion turc. Le Boiardo a imite le Pulci, l'Arioste a imite le Boiardo. Les esprits les plus originaux empruntent les uns des autres.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Voltaire notes that originality often involves borrowing ideas, citing literary examples.
- In plain terms
- Even original writers borrow ideas from others.
- What can you take from it?
- Originality often builds on existing work.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is true originality possible?
- How do ideas evolve?
Another view
It downplays the value of transforming borrowed ideas into something new.
More from Voltaire
Les anciens Romains elevaient des prodiges d'architecture pour faire combattre des betes.
Permalink to quote #5 Il en est des livres comme du feu de nos foyers; on va prendre ce feu chez son voisin, on l'allume chez soi, on le communique a d'autres, et il appartient a to…
Permalink to quote #7 Les mortels sont egaux; ce n'est pas la naissance, C'est la seule vertu qui fait la difference.
Permalink to quote #4
Related quotes
Heinlein presents us, in terms of his sources and influences with a rope of many strands and the strength of the whole is in the multiplicity of the strands. T…
Robert A. HeinleinRobert A. Heinlein quote #179 The thing that teases the mind over and over for years, and at last gets itself put down rightly on paper-whether little or great, it belongs to Literature.
Sarah Orne JewettSarah Orne Jewett quote #2 Books, the children of the brain.
Jonathan SwiftJonathan Swift quote #4