--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Innovation is often the ability to reach…" description: "\"Innovation is often the ability to reach into the past and bring back what is good, what is beautiful, what is useful, what is lasting.\" — Sister Parish" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05e/sister-parish-35621_ability_innovation-is-often-the-ability-to-reach_993666.jpg" --- # Innovation is often the ability to reach into the past and… ![“Innovation is often the ability to reach into the past and bring back what is good, what is beautiful, what is useful, what is lasting.” quote by Sister Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05e/sister-parish-35621_ability_innovation-is-often-the-ability-to-reach_993666.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05e/sister-parish-35621_ability_innovation-is-often-the-ability-to-reach_993666.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05e/sister-parish-35621_ability_innovation-is-often-the-ability-to-reach_993666.jpg) > “Innovation is often the ability to reach into the past and bring back what is good, what is beautiful, what is useful, what is lasting.” [Sister Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-parish/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Innovation blends past wisdom with present needs, valuing timeless beauty and utility. **In simple terms:** Good ideas from the past can inspire new creations. Key Takeaway Combine tradition with modern needs. Themes innovation heritage beauty utility lasting value Mood inspired thoughtful creative Type philosophical design reflective When to use this quote - architecture projects - product development - restoration - fashion design Key Concepts design theory cultural continuity Questions to Reflect On - What past element can you revive today? - How do you ensure new designs remain useful? A Different Perspective Relying too much on the past may stifle original ideas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Beautiful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beautiful/) [Bring Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bring-good-620828/) [Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/) [Innovation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation/) [Innovation Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation-ability-1036981/) [Interior design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interior-design/) [Lasting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasting/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Past Bring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-bring-505340/) [Reach Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reach-past-1079848/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Achievers have an enabling attitude, realism, and a conviction that they themselves were the laboratory of innovation. Their ability to change themselves is central…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-ferguson/achievers-have-an-enabling-attitude-realism-and-a-conviction-that/) [Marilyn Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-ferguson/) > [Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity - not a threat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/innovation-is-the-ability-to-see-change-as-an-opportunity-not-a-threat/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [A key ingredient in innovation is the ability to challenge authority and break rules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivek-wadhwa/a-key-ingredient-in-innovation-is-the-ability-to-challenge-authority/) [Vivek Wadhwa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivek-wadhwa/) > [Americans have always excelled through hard work, innovation, and an ability to find solutions that makes us unique among nations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-quayle/americans-have-always-excelled-through-hard-work-innovation-and-an/) [Dan Quayle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-quayle/) > [“If there is anything certain in life, it is this. Time doesn't always heal. Not really. I know they say it does, but that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-there-is-anything-certain-in-life-it-is-this-time-doesn-t-always/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If my voice could reach back through the past, I'd whispher in your ear, Oh Darling I wish you were here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owl-city/if-my-voice-could-reach-back-through-the-past-i-d-whispher-in-your/) [Owl City](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owl-city/) > [Because (grandparents) are usually free to love and guide and befriend the young without having to take daily responsibility for them, they can often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/because-grandparents-are-usually-free-to-love-and-guide-and-befriend/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [“Reach into the past and remember the reasons you fell in love. Hold on to that, son, and cherish it. Then you must start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-berg/reach-into-the-past-and-remember-the-reasons-you-fell-in-love-hold-on/) [J.L. Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-berg/) > [We hope for the future, then we reach for the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geri-halliwell/we-hope-for-the-future-then-we-reach-for-the-past/) [Geri Halliwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geri-halliwell/) > [Never let the experiences of your past bring harm to your future. Remember, your past can't be altered and your future just doesn't deserve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-let-the-experiences-of-your-past-bring-harm-to-your-future/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is no past that we can bring back by longing for it. There is only an eternally new now that builds and creates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/there-is-no-past-that-we-can-bring-back-by-longing-for-it-there-is/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [There is no past that we can bring back by longing for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judi-dench/there-is-no-past-that-we-can-bring-back-by-longing-for-it/) [Judi Dench](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judi-dench/) > [Never let the experiences of your past bring harm to your future. Remember, your past cant be altered and your future just doesnt deserve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-let-the-experiences-of-your-past-bring-harm-to-your-future-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The river can go back over the past and bring it all up and spit it out on the banks in full view of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-hawkins/the-river-can-go-back-over-the-past-and-bring-it-all-up-and-spit-it/) [Paula Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-hawkins/) > [“Discover how to visit the past and bring yesterday's stories into our lives today”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-hovell/discover-how-to-visit-the-past-and-bring-yesterday-s-stories-into-our/) [Gillian Hovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-hovell/) ## More by Sister Parish > [...When someone asks me to help create a room my first reaction, if I do not already know the person, is to try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-parish/when-someone-asks-me-to-help-create-a-room-my-first-reaction-if-i-do/) [Sister Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-parish/) > [Behind every attractive room there should be a very good reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-parish/behind-every-attractive-room-there-should-be-a-very-good-reason/) [Sister Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-parish/) > [You can never achieve anything in a house unless you have things that have been passed down and you find a place for them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-parish/you-can-never-achieve-anything-in-a-house-unless-you-have-things-that/) [Sister Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-parish/) > [It has not been an easy cross to bear. It has caused considerable confusion. My husband constantly complained about the awkwardness of being married…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-parish/it-has-not-been-an-easy-cross-to-bear-it-has-caused-considerable/) [Sister Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-parish/) > [Home, the idea of home, is my principal purpose. If people have bought a house as an investment or chosen the furniture because they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-parish/home-the-idea-of-home-is-my-principal-purpose-if-people-have-bought-a/) [Sister Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-parish/) > [Even the simplest wicker basket can become priceless when it is loved and cared for through the generations of a family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-parish/even-the-simplest-wicker-basket-can-become-priceless-when-it-is-loved/) [Sister Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-parish/) > [I think everyone must have a first memory of some house, some room, a vivid picture that will remain deep down in one forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-parish/i-think-everyone-must-have-a-first-memory-of-some-house-some-room-a/) [Sister Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-parish/) > [Even my aunt Joan, hopelessly sentimental about every member of our family, admitted that I was hideous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-parish/even-my-aunt-joan-hopelessly-sentimental-about-every-member-of-our/) [Sister Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-parish/) > [It has not been an easy name, yet it has brought me many a laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-parish/it-has-not-been-an-easy-name-yet-it-has-brought-me-many-a-laugh/) [Sister Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-parish/) > [Rooms should be timeless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-parish/rooms-should-be-timeless/) [Sister Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-parish/) > [It is only my eye that has helped me. I am still hopeless with that thing called a scale ruler. I love color, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-parish/it-is-only-my-eye-that-has-helped-me-i-am-still-hopeless-with-that/) [Sister Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-parish/) > [The last occasions when the timetable of our lives would be interrupted for many years to come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-parish/the-last-occasions-when-the-timetable-of-our-lives-would-be/) [Sister Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-parish/) [Explore all 13 Sister Parish quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-parish/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Innovation is often the ability to reach into the past and bring back what is good, what is beautiful, what is useful, what is lasting.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sister Parish" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-parish/innovation-is-often-the-ability-to-reach-into-the-past-and-bring-back/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-parish/innovation-is-often-the-ability-to-reach-into-the-past-and-bring-back/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05e/sister-parish-35621_ability_innovation-is-often-the-ability-to-reach_993666.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05e/sister-parish-35621_ability_innovation-is-often-the-ability-to-reach_993666.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05e/sister-parish-35621_ability_innovation-is-often-the-ability-to-reach_993666.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Innovation is often the ability to reach into the past and bring back what is good, what is beautiful, what…” — Sister Parish", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sister Parish", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-parish/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Innovation is often the ability to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-parish/innovation-is-often-the-ability-to-reach-into-the-past-and-bring-back/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-parish/innovation-is-often-the-ability-to-reach-into-the-past-and-bring-back/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```