Books Quote by Thomas Carlyle
“Originality is a thing we constantly clamour for, and constantly quarrel with; as if, observes our author himself, any originality but our own could be expected to content us! In fact all strange thing are apt, without fault of theirs, to estrange us at first view, and unhappily scarcely anything is perfectly plain, but what is also perfectly common.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “On Originality”, 1841
Originality is rare and often misunderstood; commonality can be unsettling but also valuable
In simple terms: Original ideas are scarce; common things can feel strange but have worth
Key Takeaway
Embrace both originality and the familiar
Themes
originality
commonality
perception
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- literary analysis
- everyday life
Key Concepts
aesthetic theory
cultural criticism
human psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we resist the familiar?
- How can we value both novelty and tradition?
