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About this quote

What does it mean?
Copying someone without understanding is less effective than finding your own path.
In plain terms
If you cannot copy well, do something different.
What can you take from it?
Authenticity beats imitation when skills are lacking.

Where it applies

  • learning
  • art
  • career

Putting it to work

  • find your style
  • learn fundamentals

Questions to consider

  • What do you copy?
  • What is your style?

Another view

Imitation can be a valid step in learning.

More from Yogi Berra

  1. If you ask me a question I don't know I'm not going to answer.

    Permalink to quote #28
  2. If you don't know where you're going, you'll wind up somewhere else.

    Permalink to quote #30
  3. If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be.

    Permalink to quote #27

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