Arrogant Quote by Sydney J. Harris
“Nobody can be so amusingly arrogant as a young man who has just discovered an old idea and thinks it is his own.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Age of Disbelief, 1975
Young people may claim originality for ideas that are actually old, exposing arrogance rooted in ignorance of history.
In simple terms: Youth claim new ideas that are old.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and respect intellectual lineage.
Themes
arrogance
history
originality
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
analytical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- creative writing
- innovation discussions
- teaching
Key Concepts
philosophy
intellectual humility
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify the novelty of an idea?
- What role does humility play in intellectual growth?
A Different Perspective
Pride can blind one to genuine learning.
![“[D]on't grow old. With age comes caution, which is another name for cowardice… Whatever else you do in life, don't cultivate a conscience. Without a conscience a man may never be said to grow old. This is an age of very old young men.” quote by Hesketh Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/076/hesketh-pearson-35291_age_d-on-t-grow-old-with-age-comes-caution-w_14010.jpg)
![“[T]he tax code has been piling up, year after year, a symbol of everything gone wrong in America, of arrogant rulers and lost freedom, just waiting for us to pick the whole thing up and heave it away. It has to happen. Free people can put up with such laws only for so long.” quote by Dick Armey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aed/dick-armey-16265_america_t-he-tax-code-has-been-piling-up-year-af_12886.jpg)
