quote · Legacy record
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 neighbours kindle it at home communicate it to others and it becomes the property of all.
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 neighbours kindle it at home communicate it to others and it becomes the property of all.
Approximate author period: c. 1736 AD · early modern
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Voltaire
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Approximate author period: c. 1736 AD · early modern
Approximate historical context for attribution to Voltaire, based on life years 1694 to 1778. Introduction identifies Voltaire, 1694–1778. The midpoint is only a historical grouping point; no partial match to other people with Voltaire in their name is permitted. Source: Voltaire — Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/voltaire/ (checked 2026-10-09). This does not establish the composition date or authenticate the attribution of these words.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided quotation collection
Supplied reference C; CSV row 412499; supplied attribution, independently unverified
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.