I am willing to be a literary thief if it has so been…
““I am willing to be a literary thief if it has so been ordained; I am even willing to be caught robbing the ancient dead alongside of Hopkinson Smith, for he is my friend and a good fellow, and I think would be as honest as any one if he could do it without occasioning remark; but I am not willing to antedate his crimes by fifteen hundred years. I must ask you to knock off part of that.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The writer humorously claims willingness to steal from ancient authors, but draws a line at stealing from a contemporary friend, highlighting ethical limits in creative appropriation.
In simple terms: Willing to borrow from the past, not from friends.
Key Takeaway
Respect creative boundaries.
Themes
ethics
literary theft
friendship
Mood
playful
ethical
Type
humorous
reflective
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- artistic collaboration
- intellectual property
Key Concepts
plagiarism
creative inspiration
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines fair use in art?
- How do you credit sources responsibly?
A Different Perspective
Modern plagiarism laws differ.