The Plagiarism of orators is the art, or an ingenious and easy
mode, which some adroitly employ to change, or disguise, all
sorts of speeches or their own composition, or that of other
authors, for their pleasure, or their utility; in such a manner
that it becomes impossible even for the author himself to
recognize his own work, his own genius, and his own style, so
skillfully shall the whole be disguised.
- Isaac D'Israeli,
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Fine words! I wonder where you stole 'em.
[Lat., Libertas et natale solum.]
Fine words! I wonder where you stole 'em.
[Lat., Libertas et natale solum.]
He liked those literary cooks
Who skim the cream of others' books;
And ruin half an author's read more
He liked those literary cooks
Who skim the cream of others' books;
And ruin half an author's graces
By plucking bon-mots from their places.
To copy others is necessary, but to copy oneself is pathetic
To copy others is necessary, but to copy oneself is pathetic
Take the whole range of imaginative literature, and we are all
wholesale borrowers. In every matter that relates to read more
Take the whole range of imaginative literature, and we are all
wholesale borrowers. In every matter that relates to invention,
to use, or beauty or form, we are borrowers.
Perish those who said our good things before we did.
[Lat., Pereant qui ante nos nostra dixerent.]
Perish those who said our good things before we did.
[Lat., Pereant qui ante nos nostra dixerent.]
Steal!--to be sure they may; and egad, serve your best thoughts
as gypsies do stolen children, disfigure them to read more
Steal!--to be sure they may; and egad, serve your best thoughts
as gypsies do stolen children, disfigure them to make 'em pass
for their own.
Why, simpleton, do you mix your verses with mine? What have you
to do, foolish man, with writings that read more
Why, simpleton, do you mix your verses with mine? What have you
to do, foolish man, with writings that convict you of theft? Why
do you attempt to associate foxes with lions, and make owls pass
for eagles? Though you had one of Ladas's legs, you would not be
able, blockhead, to run with the other leg of wood.
With him most authors steal their works, or buy;
Garth did not write his own Dispensary.
With him most authors steal their works, or buy;
Garth did not write his own Dispensary.
For such kind of borrowing as this, if it be not bettered by the
borrower, among good authors is read more
For such kind of borrowing as this, if it be not bettered by the
borrower, among good authors is accounted plagiary.
