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.]

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.

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.

They had their lean books with the fat of others' works.

They had their lean books with the fat of others' works.

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.]

My books need no one to accuse or judge you: the page which is
yours stands up against you read more

My books need no one to accuse or judge you: the page which is
yours stands up against you and says, "You are a thief."

Who, to patch up his fame--or fill his purse--
Still pilfers wretched plans, and makes them worse;
read more

Who, to patch up his fame--or fill his purse--
Still pilfers wretched plans, and makes them worse;
Like gypsies, lest the stolen brat be known,
Defacing first, then claiming for his own.

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.

To copy others is necessary, but to copy oneself is pathetic

To copy others is necessary, but to copy oneself is pathetic