Imitation Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
““Imitation and custom are the spring of almost all human action. The cause of it is that men fight shy of all and any sort of reflection, and very properly mistrust their own discernment. At the same time this remarkably strong imitative instinct in man is a proof of his kinship with apes.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The World as Will and Representation, Arthur Schopenhauer, 1818
People often copy others and follow habits because they avoid deep reflection and distrust their own judgment, revealing a primal imitation instinct linking humans to apes.
In simple terms: Humans copy and follow habits to avoid thinking, showing a basic imitation instinct.
Key Takeaway
Question your habits and think independently.
Themes
conformity
reflection
human nature
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- social media behavior
- team dynamics
- creative work
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
evolutionary biology
Questions to Reflect On
- What habits do you follow without questioning?
- How does imitation affect your creativity?
A Different Perspective
Copying can limit innovation and personal growth.
![“[T]he appropriate form of address between man and man ought to be, not monsieur, sir, but fellow sufferer, compagnon de miseres.” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be6/arthur-schopenhauer-226_addresses_t-he-appropriate-form-of-address-between_32897.jpg)
![“[Materialism] seeks the primary and most simple state of matter, and then tries to develop all the others from it; ascending from mere mechanism, to chemism, to polarity, to the vegetable and to the animal kingdom. And if we suppose this to have been done, the last link in the chain would be…” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/88c/arthur-schopenhauer-226_animal-kingdom_materialism-seeks-the-primary-and-most-s_50402.jpg)
