The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
A man of great common sense and good taste—meaning thereby a man without originality or moral courage.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
In exploring new and doubtful tracts of speculation, the mind strikes out true and original views; as a drop of water hesitates at first what direction it will take, but afterwards follows its own course.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
I see nothing in it new and valuable. What is valuable is not new, and what is new is not valuable.
—Daniel Webster (1782–1852) American Statesman, Lawyer
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
No one can be profoundly original who does not avoid eccentricity.
—Andre Maurois (1885–1967) French Novelist, Biographer
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
In all affairs it’s a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
The more original a discovery, the more obvious it seems afterwards.
—Arthur Koestler (1905–83) British Writer, Journalist, Political Refugee
When will poets learn that a grass-blade of their own raising is worth a barrow-load of flowers from their neighbor’s garden?
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
Many a man fails as an original thinker simply because his memory is too good.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
An original writer is not one who imitates nobody, but one whom nobody can imitate.
—Francois-Rene de Chateaubriand (1768–1848) French Writer, Academician, Statesman
A fine invention is nothing more than a fine deviation from, or enlargement on a fine model.—Imitation, if noble and general, insures the best hope of originality.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
To put away one’s own original thoughts in order to take up a book is a sin against the Holy Ghost.
—Barbara W. Tuchman (1912–89) American Historian, Journalist
All progress has resulted from people who took unpopular positions.
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–65) American Diplomat, Politician, Orator
I will not follow where the path may lead, but I will go where there is no path, and I will leave a trail.
—Muriel Strode (1875–1964) American Author, Businesswoman
Every man is an original and solitary character.—None can either understand or feel the book of his own life like himself.
—Richard Cecil
Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion.
—Charles Kuralt (1934–97) American Television News Journalist
We are all born originals—why is it so many of us die copies?
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
Every human being is intended to have a character of his own; to be what no other is, and to do what no other can do.
—William Ellery Channing (1780–1842) American Unitarian Theologian, Poet
Originality is not seen in single words or even sentences. Originality is the sum total of a man’s thinking or his writing.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer (1902–91) Polish-born American Writer, Novelist, Short Story Writer
Originality consists in trying to be like everybody else—and failing.
—Raymond Radiguet (1903–23) French Novelist
The true is inimitable, the false untransformable.
—Robert Bresson (1907–99) French Film Director
The greatness of art is not to find what is common but what is unique.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer (1902–91) Polish-born American Writer, Novelist, Short Story Writer
One of the best uses of originality is, to say common things in an uncommon way.
—Anonymous
It is almost impossible for any one who reads much, and reflects a, good deal, to be able, on every occasion, to determine whether a thought was another’s or his own.—I have several times quoted sentences out of my own writings, in aid of my own arguments, in conversation, thinking that I was supporting them by some better authority.
—Laurence Sterne (1713–68) Irish Anglican Novelist, Clergyman
Originality is a thing we constantly clamour for, and constantly quarrel with.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
The world in general doesn’t know what to make of originality; it is startled out of its comfortable habits of thought, and its first reaction is one of anger.
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
It’s easier to be original and foolish than original and wise.
—Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716) German Rationalist Philosopher, Mathematician
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
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