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.
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When Shakespeare is charges with debts to his authors, Landor
replies, "Yet he was more original than his originals. read more
When Shakespeare is charges with debts to his authors, Landor
replies, "Yet he was more original than his originals. He
breathed upon dead bodies and brought them into life."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson,
I recover my property wherever I find it.
[Fr., Je reprends mon bien ou je le trouve.]
I recover my property wherever I find it.
[Fr., Je reprends mon bien ou je le trouve.]
We can say nothing but what hath been said . . . Our poets steal
from Homer . . read more
We can say nothing but what hath been said . . . Our poets steal
from Homer . . . . Our storydressers do as much; he that comes
last is commonly best.
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.
It has come to be practically a sort of rule in literature, that
a man, having once shown himself read more
It has come to be practically a sort of rule in literature, that
a man, having once shown himself capable of original writing, is
entitled thenceforth to steal from the writings of others at
discretion.
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.
Next o'er his books his eyes began to roll,
In pleasing memory of all he stole;
How read more
Next o'er his books his eyes began to roll,
In pleasing memory of all he stole;
How here he sipp'd, how there he plunder'd snug,
And suck'd all o'er like an industrious bug.
They had their lean books with the fat of others' works.
They had their lean books with the fat of others' works.
Amongst so many borrowed things, am glad if I can steal one,
disguising and altering it for some new read more
Amongst so many borrowed things, am glad if I can steal one,
disguising and altering it for some new service.
