Creativity Quote by Nick Tosches
““I believe in the power of origins, a belief that, as Ecclesiastes put it, 'that wich is done is that wich shall be done: and there is no new thing under de sun'; that we claim as originality and discovery are nothing but the airs and delusios of our innocence, ignorance, and arrogance: that whatever is said was said better - more powerfully, beautifully, and purely, long ago””
About This Quote
Source Book: Hellfire: The Story of America’s Greatest Serial Killer, Nick Tosches, 1995
The quote argues that all ideas are repetitions of past thoughts, and claims of originality are delusional, rooted in ignorance and arrogance.
In simple terms: All ideas repeat past ones; originality is an illusion.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the value of learning from the past.
Themes
originality
history
humility
knowledge
arrogance
Mood
reflective
skeptical
Type
philosophical
critical
literary
When to use this quote
- academic research
- creative writing
- innovation meetings
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
philosophy
literary criticism
cultural theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance respect for tradition with the desire to create?
- Can we ever truly be original?
A Different Perspective
Innovation can still arise from recombining old ideas in new ways.
