--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A great gift would be a cheap pen…" description: "\"“A great gift would be a cheap pen, mounted on a wooden plaque, with the accompanying label that reads, “This is the pen that was first used to write d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2df/jarod-kintz-2_history_a-great-gift-would-be-a-cheap-pen-mounte_3232434.jpg" --- # A great gift would be a cheap pen, mounted on a wooden… ![“A great gift would be a cheap pen, mounted on a wooden plaque, with the accompanying label that reads, “This is the pen that was first used to write down these words. This is history. This happened. Now, go write your own history. But use another pen, because this one’s not only super glued to the…” quote by Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2df/jarod-kintz-2_history_a-great-gift-would-be-a-cheap-pen-mounte_3232434.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2df/jarod-kintz-2_history_a-great-gift-would-be-a-cheap-pen-mounte_3232434.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2df/jarod-kintz-2_history_a-great-gift-would-be-a-cheap-pen-mounte_3232434.jpg) > ““A great gift would be a cheap pen, mounted on a wooden plaque, with the accompanying label that reads, “This is the pen that was first used to write down these words. This is history. This happened. Now, go write your own history. But use another pen, because this one’s not only super glued to the wood, but it’s out of ink.”” [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A symbolic gift emphasizes the value of origins while urging personal creation beyond inherited tools. **In simple terms:** Use history as inspiration, but create your own story with fresh tools. Key Takeaway Honor the past, then innovate. Themes inspiration legacy creativity Mood reflective encouraging Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - writing projects - personal branding - educational workshops - entrepreneurial ventures Key Concepts symbolism motivation authenticity Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance respect for tradition with the need for new resources? - What does “writing your own history” mean to you? A Different Perspective The metaphor may overlook practical constraints of reusing outdated tools. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) ## Related quotes > [She looked at her hand: Just some hand, holding a cheap pen. Some girls’ hand. She had nothing to do with that hand. Let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-voigt/she-looked-at-her-hand-just-some-hand-holding-a-cheap-pen-some-girls/) [Cynthia Voigt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-voigt/) > [“and Fanfan, a single pen must be used, you understand what I’m saying?” “Yes, Monsieur Noiraud,” I said. I knew very well what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patric-juillet/and-fanfan-a-single-pen-must-be-used-you-understand-what-i-m-saying/) [Patric Juillet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patric-juillet/) > [When other presidents used the executive pen, they used to it for things like should we lower the flag at half mast for someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bolling/when-other-presidents-used-the-executive-pen-they-used-to-it-for/) [Eric Bolling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bolling/) > [I cannot understand why some people try to write a history of photography that is separated from the history of modern art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-francois-chevrier/i-cannot-understand-why-some-people-try-to-write-a-history-of/) [Jean-Francois Chevrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-francois-chevrier/) > [I used to write from the time I was in school, and during college days too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aishwarya-r-dhanush/i-used-to-write-from-the-time-i-was-in-school-and-during-college-days/) [Aishwarya R. Dhanush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aishwarya-r-dhanush/) > [When all my kids were at home, I used to write from midnight onwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-townsend/when-all-my-kids-were-at-home-i-used-to-write-from-midnight-onwards/) [Sue Townsend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-townsend/) > [When we used to walk to school, I used to read off the walls, graffiti and stuff, everything. I used to write stories, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorja-smith/when-we-used-to-walk-to-school-i-used-to-read-off-the-walls-graffiti/) [Jorja Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorja-smith/) > [When I was a kid, growing up, I used to write a lot of stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-macken/when-i-was-a-kid-growing-up-i-used-to-write-a-lot-of-stories/) [Eoin Macken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-macken/) > [I used to write things for friends. There was this girl I had a crush on, and she had a teacher she didn't like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/i-used-to-write-things-for-friends-there-was-this-girl-i-had-a-crush/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [I don't understand blogs. People used to write to make money, no? You didn't give it away. I have nothing against blogs. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-deford/i-don-t-understand-blogs-people-used-to-write-to-make-money-no-you/) [Frank Deford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-deford/) > [I used to write at home a lot. I used to write a bit for Girls Aloud.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-roberts/i-used-to-write-at-home-a-lot-i-used-to-write-a-bit-for-girls-aloud/) [Nicola Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-roberts/) > [As a little girl, I used to write stories, but by my teenage years, I got out of the habit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/as-a-little-girl-i-used-to-write-stories-but-by-my-teenage-years-i/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I used to write on a big old couch, but I gave that away. I was wise enough to give it to my son,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/i-used-to-write-on-a-big-old-couch-but-i-gave-that-away-i-was-wise/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [I write a tiny fraction of what I used to write. My only job used to be to just write songs, and that was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-spektor/i-write-a-tiny-fraction-of-what-i-used-to-write-my-only-job-used-to/) [Regina Spektor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-spektor/) > [Between books, I have to throw out everything I did before, because the tools I've used to write the previous book will not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/between-books-i-have-to-throw-out-everything-i-did-before-because-the/) [Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/) ## More by Jarod Kintz > [“I notice when you’re gone. Or do I? How can I observe something that isn’t there?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-notice-when-you-re-gone-or-do-i-how-can-i-observe-something-that/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“I wouldn’t love you if you were the last Sodomite in Gomorrah.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-wouldn-t-love-you-if-you-were-the-last-sodomite-in-gomorrah/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“A blanket could be used to make sweet, sweet music with the love of your life. Hopefully that person is me, because I’ve been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-blanket-could-be-used-to-make-sweet-sweet-music-with-the-love-of/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“A brick could be used to slow down time. Sort of like a camel in a wheelchair pushed by a thirsty Arab. Hey, Khalid,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-brick-could-be-used-to-slow-down-time-sort-of-like-a-camel-in-a/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“We have a love so pure that it makes snow seem yellow. (Don’t eat it!)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/we-have-a-love-so-pure-that-it-makes-snow-seem-yellow-don-t-eat-it/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“I hid Mrs. Frozenwater’s body in the ice cube trays in my freezer. Better to keep her there than let her memory thaw out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-hid-mrs-frozenwater-s-body-in-the-ice-cube-trays-in-my-freezer/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Two similar words might lead to two similar ideas. They might also lead to the basement, which I recently converted into a dungeon/torture chamber.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/two-similar-words-might-lead-to-two-similar-ideas-they-might-also/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Nothing is and isn’t; nothing is and isn’t—nothing itself is, and at the same time, nothing isn’t.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/nothing-is-and-isn-t-nothing-is-and-isn-t-nothing-itself-is-and-at/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Embossed letters represent the topography of typography.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/embossed-letters-represent-the-topography-of-typography/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“There’s only one piece of clothing I could eat fast, and that’s a scarf.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/there-s-only-one-piece-of-clothing-i-could-eat-fast-and-that-s-a-scarf/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Dora J. Arod is to Jarod Ora, as yes is to yes. Yes is also the correct answer to “Will you marry me?” Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/dora-j-arod-is-to-jarod-ora-as-yes-is-to-yes-yes-is-also-the-correct/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“The best part about being kidnapped is being blindfolded and getting kicked into the trunk of a car. Boy, normally I have to beg…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-best-part-about-being-kidnapped-is-being-blindfolded-and-getting/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Orafoura once told me that if I were a car, I’d be a Ferrari. One that was scratched smashed, rusted, and stolen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/orafoura-once-told-me-that-if-i-were-a-car-i-d-be-a-ferrari-one-that/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“What makes a good leader? I ask myself this every day, and then as I begin to list off characteristics I realize I’m describing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/what-makes-a-good-leader-i-ask-myself-this-every-day-and-then-as-i/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“I’d like to file a missing person’s report—on my clone. It’s nearly 2012. He should have been here by now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-d-like-to-file-a-missing-person-s-report-on-my-clone-it-s-nearly/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) [Explore all 6,921 Jarod Kintz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) ## More History quotes > [Histories never conclude; they just pause their prose. Their stories are, if they are truthful, untidy affairs, resistant to windings-up and sortings-out. They beat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-schama/histories-never-conclude-they-just-pause-their-prose-their-stories/) [Simon Schama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-schama/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In the entire history of the universe, let alone in your own history, there has never been another day just like today, and there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/in-the-entire-history-of-the-universe-let-alone-in-your-own-history/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) > [The NBA is my history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-hardaway/the-nba-is-my-history/) [Penny Hardaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-hardaway/) > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [We find few historians who have been diligent enough in their search for truth; it is their common method to take on trust what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/we-find-few-historians-who-have-been-diligent-enough-in-their-search/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [What is history after all? History is facts which become lies in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-cocteau/what-is-history-after-all-history-is-facts-which-become-lies-in-the/) [Jean Cocteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-cocteau/) > [Things live and die, and then someone processes them into edible portions. This is a complete telling of the story, 'Food.' The basic plot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-fahrenthold/things-live-and-die-and-then-someone-processes-them-into-edible/) [David Fahrenthold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-fahrenthold/) > [History is a certain way, but you just change the point of view a little bit, and you discover a whole new side of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-schroeder/history-is-a-certain-way-but-you-just-change-the-point-of-view-a/) [Allison Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-schroeder/) > [We're at a point in history were we have to become a part of the neighborhood of inhabited planets, like a neighborhood of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/we-re-at-a-point-in-history-were-we-have-to-become-a-part-of-the/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [Today is a reality, tomorrow's a promise, and yesterday's history!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-blanks/today-is-a-reality-tomorrow-s-a-promise-and-yesterday-s-history/) [Billy Blanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-blanks/) > [Truth be told from compulsive liars with a history/Everything must change 2nd chances are a mystery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-dash/truth-be-told-from-compulsive-liars-with-a-history-everything-must/) C-DASH > [Every army in the history of the world has always had some deserters, usually much greater than we have today, because once again every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-hilferty/every-army-in-the-history-of-the-world-has-always-had-some-deserters/) [Bryan Hilferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-hilferty/) > [“To those great geniuses now in petticoats, who shall write novels for the beloved reader's children, these men and things will be as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-makepeace-thackeray/to-those-great-geniuses-now-in-petticoats-who-shall-write-novels-for/) [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) [Browse all 27,263 History quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“A great gift would be a cheap pen, mounted on a wooden plaque, with the accompanying label that reads, “This is the pen that was first used to write down these words. 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