All good things which exist are the fruits of originality.
—John Stuart Mill (1806–73) English Philosopher, Economist
The more intelligent one is, the more men of originality one finds. Ordinary people find no difference between men.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
Most new things are not good, and die an early death; but those which push themselves forward and by slow degrees force themselves on the attention of mankind are the unconscious productions of human wisdom, and must have honest consideration, and must not be made the subject of unreasoning prejudice.
—Thomas Brackett Reed (1839–1902) American Politician, Lawyer
The most original authors are not so because they advance what is new, but because they put what they have to say as if it had never been said before.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Men often applaud an imitation and hiss the real thing.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
It’s been very important throughout my career that I’ve met all the guys I’ve copied, because at each stage they’ve said, “Don’t play like me, play like you.”
—Eric Clapton (b.1945) English Rock, Blues Guitarist
The ridiculous rage for innovation, which only increases the weight of the chains it cannot break, shall never fire my blood!
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
Originality is nothing but judicious imitation.—The most original writers borrowed one from another. The instruction we find in books is like fire. We fetch it from our neighbor’s kindle it at home, communicate it to others, and it becomes the property of all.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
I found you essay to be good and original. However, the part that was original was not good and the part that was good was not original.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Begin with another’s to end with your own.
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer
To innovate is not to reform.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
Since we live in an age of innovation, a practical education must prepare a man for work that does not yet exist and cannot yet be clearly defined.
—Peter Drucker (1909–2005) Austrian-born Management Consultant
Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.
—Steve Jobs (1955–2011) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
Innovation has nothing to do with how many R&D dollars you have. When Apple came up with the Mac, IBM was spending at least 100 times more on R&D. It’s not about money. It’s about the people you have, how you’re led, and how much you get it.
—Steve Jobs (1955–2011) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
A society made up of individuals who were all capable of original thought would probably be unendurable.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
Innovators are inevitably controversial.
—Eva Le Gallienne (1899–1991) British-born American Stage Actress
No one can be profoundly original who does not avoid eccentricity.
—Andre Maurois (1885–1967) French Novelist, Biographer
When a work appears to be ahead of its time, it is only the time that is behind the work.
—Jean Cocteau (1889–1963) French Poet, Playwright, Film Director
Perhaps our originality manifests itself most strikingly in what we do with that which we did not originate. To discover something wholly new can be a matter of chance, of idle tinkering, or even of the chronic dissatisfaction of the untalented.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
Everything has been said, and we have come too late, now that men have been living and thinking for seven thousand years and more.
—Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author
I believe in being an innovator.
—Walt Disney (1901–66) American Entrepreneur
Never before in history has innovation offered promise of so much to so many in so short a time.
—Bill Gates (b.1955) American Businessperson, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Author
Create your own method. Don’t depend slavishly on mine. Make up something that will work for you! But keep breaking traditions, I beg you.
—Constantin Stanislavski (1863–1938) Russian Actor, Theater Personality
The more original a discovery, the more obvious it seems afterwards.
—Arthur Koestler (1905–83) British Writer, Journalist, Political Refugee
Dislike of innovation proceeds sometimes from the disgust excited by false humanity, canting hypocrisy, and silly enthusiasm.
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845) English Clergyman, Essayist, Wit
All cases are unique and very similar to others.
—T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) American-born British Poet, Dramatist, Literary Critic
Nearly all our originality comes from the stamp that time impresses upon our sensibility.
—Charles Baudelaire (1821–67) French Poet, Art Critic, Essayist, Translator
Great innovations should not be forced on slender majorities.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
As the births of living creatures, at first, are ill-shapen: so are all Innovations, which are the births of time.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some people move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, nd we are never ever the same.
—Flavia Weedn