Anatole France frankly advised, "When a thing has been…
“Anatole France frankly advised, "When a thing has been said and said well, have no scruple. Take it and copy it." Yes, indeed, but do more. Copy many well-said things. Pierce them together. Assimilate them. Make the process of reading them a way to form the mind and shape the soul. As anthologies can never be complete, we will never exhaust the ways quotations can enrich our lives.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
When a statement is well expressed, it's acceptable to copy it, but also to combine, adapt, and let it shape your mind and soul.
In simple terms: Copy good ideas, then transform them.
Key Takeaway
Use existing wisdom as building blocks for personal growth.
Themes
learning
creativity
intellectual growth
adaptation
Mood
inquisitive
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing essays
- artistic projects
- academic research
Key Concepts
intertextuality
assimilation
originality
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance imitation and innovation?
- When does borrowing become plagiarism?
A Different Perspective
Over-reliance on copying can hinder originality.