If you steal from one author, its plagiarism; if you steal…
“If you steal from one author, its plagiarism; if you steal from many, its research.”
This quote is also attributed to Wilson Mizner in other sources. Attributions for famous quotes are often disputed.
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Plagiarism is theft; research builds on many sources, showing ethical nuance.
In simple terms: Stealing from many is research, not plagiarism.
Distinguish between copying and scholarly synthesis.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- creative projects
- content creation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you credit sources properly?
- When does synthesis become plagiarism?
Blurred lines can cause misuse.