Admirable Quote by N.D. Wilson
“Stealing ideas from contemporaries is rude and tasteless. Stealing from the long dead is considered literary and admirable. The same is true of grave-robbing. Loot your local cemetery and find yourself mired in social awkwardness. But unearth the tomb of an ancient king and you can feel free to pop off his toe rings. You'll probably end up on a book tour, or bagging an honorary degree or two.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Borrowing, N.D. Wilson, 2015
It contrasts the acceptability of borrowing from the dead versus the living, suggesting that appropriating ancient ideas is praised while copying peers is condemned.
In simple terms: Borrowing from the dead is praised; from peers is rude.
Key Takeaway
Respect originality in peers, study past works.
Themes
originality
ethics
culture
creativity
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- creative writing
- artistic inspiration
- public speaking
Key Concepts
intellectual property
cultural appropriation
historical reverence
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance inspiration and plagiarism?
- When is homage versus theft?
A Different Perspective
Modern collaboration often blurs lines of ownership, making strict distinctions hard.
![“I didn't get a chance to meet Glen [Beck] for this movie. I did meet him a few years ago, coincidentally, before any of this happened. But I've been familiar with his work, so I felt I wanted to get it right. I wanted to honor him. I respect him and I think the way he does his job is admirable…” quote by Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bee/zachary-quinto-4021_admirable_i-didn-t-get-a-chance-to-meet-glen-beck_138334.jpg)
