Creativity Quote by Quentin Crisp
“If a man were to look over the fence on one side of his garden and observe that the neighbor on his left had laid his garden path round a central lawn; and were to look over the fence on the other side of his garden and observe that the neighbor on his right had laid his path down the middle of the lawn, and were then to lay his own garden path diagonally from one corner to the other, that man's soul would be lost. Originality is only to be praised when not prefaced by the look to right and left.”
About This Quote
The author warns that originality is compromised when one imitates others; true creativity should not be preceded by copying neighbors’ approaches.
In simple terms: Copying others kills true originality.
Key Takeaway
Seek genuine, independent creativity.
Themes
creativity
originality
conformity
Mood
critical
inspired
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- literary criticism
- philosophy of art
Key Concepts
artistic expression
innovation
personal style
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines authentic originality?
- How to avoid subconscious imitation?
![“It is no disparagement to the garden to say it will not fence and weed itself, nor prune its own fruit trees, nor roll and cut its own lawns...It will remain a garden only if someone does all these things to it...If you want to see the difference between [the garden's] contribution and the…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/737/anonymous-1_age_it-is-no-disparagement-to-the-garden-to_1864571.jpg)
![“[When her daughter suggested the President refer in his conversation with foreign dignitaries about lawn care to 'fertilizer' instead of to 'manure':] But remember, it took me almost thirty years to get him to call it manure.” quote by Bess Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4fe/bess-truman-27530_care_when-her-daughter-suggested-the-presiden_25215.jpg)
