WIST Quotations

Marcus Aurelius -- Meditations [To Himself; Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν], Book 6, ch. 6 (6.6) (AD 161-180) [tr. Gill (2013)]

Dave — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 20:19:46 +0000

The best kind of revenge is not to become like them.

[Ἄριστος τρόπος τοῦ ἀμύνεσθαι τὸ μὴ ἐξομοιοῦσθαι.]

Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180) Roman emperor (161-180), Stoic philosopher
Meditations [To Himself; Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν], Book 6, ch. 6 (6.6) (AD 161-180) [tr. Gill (2013)]
(Source)

(Source (Greek)). Alternate translations:

The best kind of revenge is, not to become like unto them.
[tr. Casaubon (1634), 6.5]

The best way of Revenge, is not to imitate the Injury.
[tr. Collier (1701)]

The best sort of revenge, is, not to become like the injurious.
[tr. Hutcheson/Moor (1742)]

The best method of revenge is, not to imitate the person who has done you the injury.
[tr. Graves (1792)]

The best way of avenging thyself is not to become like [the wrong-doer].
[tr. Long (1862)]

The best way of revenge is not to imitate the injury.
[tr. Collier/Zimmern (1887)]

Not to do likewise is the best revenge.
[tr. Rendall (1898)]

The best revenge is not to copy him that wronged you.
[tr. Hutcheson/Chrystal (1902)]

The best way of avenging thyself is not to do likewise.
[tr. Haines (Loeb) (1916)]

The noblest kind of retribution is not to become like your enemy.
[tr. Farquharson (1944)]

To refrain from imitation is the best revenge.
[tr. Staniforth (1964)]

The noblest way to avenge yourself is not to become as they are.
[tr. Hard (1997 ed.)]

The best revenge is not to be like that.
[tr. Hays (2003)]

The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.
[tr. Hammond (2006)]

The noblest way of taking revenge on others is by refusing to become like them.
[tr. Needleman/Piazza (2008)]

The best way to avenge yourself is not to become as they are.
[tr. Hard (2011 ed.)]

Hoffer, Eric -- Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 130 (1955)

Dave — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 16:02:14 +0000

The people we meet are the playwrights and stage managers of our lives: they cast us in a role, and we play it whether we will or not. It is not so much the example of others we imitate as the reflection of ourselves in their eyes and the echo of ourselves in their words.

Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 130 (1955)
(Source)

Bierce, Ambrose -- “Joss-sticks,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)

Dave — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 14:16:55 +0000

JOSS-STICKS, n. Small sticks burned by the Chinese in their pagan tomfoolery, in imitation of certain sacred rites of our holy religion.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Joss-sticks,” The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)
(Source)

Included in The Devil's Dictionary (1911). Originally published in the "Devil's Dictionary" column in the San Francisco Wasp (1886-01-09).

Martin, Judith -- “Miss Manners,” syndicated column (1987-11-01)

Dave — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 15:18:53 +0000

The challenge of manners is not so much to be nice to someone whose favor and/or person you covet (although more people need to be reminded of that necessity than one would suppose) as to be exposed to the bad manners of others without imitating them.

Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
“Miss Manners,” syndicated column (1987-11-01)
(Source)

Collected in Miss Manners' Guide for the Turn-of-the-Millennium, Part 1 "Revised Conventions," "Correcting Others" (1989).

Colton, Charles Caleb -- Lacon: Or, Many Things in Few Words, Vol. 1, § 217 (1820)

Dave — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 14:17:26 +0000

Imitation is the sincerest of flattery.

Charles Caleb "C. C." Colton (1780-1832) English cleric, writer, aphorist
Lacon: Or, Many Things in Few Words, Vol. 1, § 217 (1820)
(Source)

This reference predates by several decades the (attributed) Oscar Wilde, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness" (1880s) though a variety of thematically similar quotations came about in the interim. By the 1850s "form" had been soundly fit into the common phrase.

More discussion here: Quote Origin: Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Flattery That Mediocrity Can Pay To Greatness – Quote Investigator®.

La Bruyere, Jean de -- The Characters [Les Caractères], ch. 5 “Of Society and Conversation [De la Société et de la Conversation],” § 32 (5.32) (1688) [tr. Van Laun (1885)]

Dave — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 23:14:02 +0000

We may define all the essentials of politeness, but we cannot determine how and where they should be used; they depend on ordinary habits and customs, are connected with times and places, and are not the same in both sexes nor in different ranks of life; intelligence alone cannot find this out; politeness is acquired and perfected by imitation.

[L’on peut définir l’esprit de politesse, l’on ne peut en fixer la pratique: elle suit l’usage et les coutumes reçues; elle est attachée aux temps, aux lieux, aux personnes, et n’est point la même dans les deux sexes, ni dans les différentes conditions; l’esprit tout seul ne la fait pas deviner: il fait qu’on la suit par imitation, et que l’on s’y perfectionne.]

Jean de La Bruyère (1645-1696) French essayist, moralist
The Characters [Les Caractères], ch. 5 “Of Society and Conversation [De la Société et de la Conversation],” § 32 (5.32) (1688) [tr. Van Laun (1885)]
(Source)

(Source (French)). Alternate translations:

We may define Politeness, tho we can't tell where to fix it in practice. It observes received Uses and Customs, 'tis bound to times and places, and is not the same thing in the two Sexes, or in different conditions. Wit alone cannot attain it: 'tis acquired and compleated by Imitation.
[Bullord ed. (1696)]

We may define Politeness, tho we can't tell where to fix it in Practice. It observes receiv'd Uses and Customs, is bound to Times and Places, and is nto the same thing in the two Sexes, or in different Conditions; Wit alone cannot attain it, 'tis acquir'd and brought to perfection by imitation.
[Curll ed. (1713)]

It is possible to define the spirit of politeness, but not to lay down rules for its practice: it depends on custom and convention; it is related to periods and places and people, and it is not the same for the two sexes nor for various social conditions; one cannot attain it through intelligence alone, yet intelligence can enable one to imitate it, and to acquire perfection in it.
[tr. Stewart (1970)]

Rogers, Will -- Column (1925-02-22), “Weekly Article: These Reds Are Like the Exhaust to an Automobile, All Noise and Smell” [No. 115]

Dave — Wed, 03 May 2023 17:07:40 +0000

The last few days I have read various addresses made on Lincoln’s Birthday. Every Politician always talks about him, but none of them ever imitate him.

Will Rogers (1879-1935) American humorist
Column (1925-02-22), “Weekly Article: These Reds Are Like the Exhaust to an Automobile, All Noise and Smell” [No. 115]
(Source)

Menen, Aubrey -- The Abode of Love, Part 3, “The Random Wooings” (1956)

Dave — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 17:58:19 +0000

The essence of success is that it is never necessary to think of a new idea oneself. It is far better to wait until somebody else does it, and then to copy him in every detail, except his mistakes.

Aubrey Menen (1912-1989) British writer, novelist, satirist, theatre critic
The Abode of Love, Part 3, “The Random Wooings” (1956)
(Source)

Gauguin, Paul -- Letter in Le Soir (25 Apr 1895)

Dave — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 23:17:37 +0000

In art, there are only two types of people: revolutionaries and plagiarists. And in the end, doesn’t the revolutionary’s work become official, once the State takes it over?

Paul Gauguin (1848-1903) French painter [Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin]
Letter in Le Soir (25 Apr 1895)

Collected in Daniel Guérin, ed., The Writings of a Savage (1996) [tr. Levieux].

Often given as "Art is either plagiarism or revolution," or sometimes "Art is either a revolutionist or a plagiarist." This is often cited from James Huneker, The Pathos of Distance (1913), but there it is given as a paraphrase: "Paul Gauguin has said that in art one is either a plagiarist or a revolutionary."

(Huneker's book elsewhere contains the parallel paraphrase, "Paul Gauguin has said that all artists are either revolutionists or reactionists.")

Armstrong, Billie Joe -- In Matt Doeden, Green Day: Keeping Their Edge‎ (2006)

Dave — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 19:00:23 +0000

A guy walks up to me and asks “What’s Punk?”
So I kick over a garbage can and say “That’s Punk!”
So he kicks over the garbage can and says “That’s Punk?”
And I say “No that’s trendy!”

Billie Joe Armstrong (b. 1972) American singer, songwriter, musician
In Matt Doeden, Green Day: Keeping Their Edge‎ (2006)
(Source)

Merton, Thomas -- New Seeds of Contemplation, ch. 14 “Integrity” (1962)

Dave — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 18:33:22 +0000

How do you expect to arrive at the end of your own journey if you take the road to another man’s city? How do you expect to reach your own perfection by leading somebody else’s life?

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) French-American religious and writer [a.k.a. Fr. M. Louis]
New Seeds of Contemplation, ch. 14 “Integrity” (1962)
(Source)

Luther, Martin -- Table Talk [Colloquia Mensalia], ch. 2 (1566) [tr. Bell]

Dave — Mon, 01 May 2017 22:33:56 +0000

For, where God built a church, there the devil would also build a chapel.

Martin Luther (1483-1546) German priest, theologian, writer, religious reformer
Table Talk [Colloquia Mensalia], ch. 2 (1566) [tr. Bell]
(Source)

See Herbert, who identifies it as a common phrase.

Allen, Fred -- (Attributed)

Dave — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 17:28:24 +0000

Imitation is the sincerest form of television.

Fred Allen (1894-1956) American humorist [b. John Florence Sullivan]
(Attributed)

Sometimes attributed to Steve Allen. See Colton.

Lichtenberg, Georg C. -- Aphorisms, Notebook D, #96 [p. 604] (1773-75) [tr. Tester (2012)]

Dave — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 21:13:22 +0000

To do exactly the opposite of something is also a form of imitation, namely an imitation of its opposite.

Georg C. Lichtenberg (1742-1799) German physicist, writer
Aphorisms, Notebook D, #96 [p. 604] (1773-75) [tr. Tester (2012)]
(Source)

Alternate translations:

"To do just the opposite is also a form of imitation." [tr. Mautner and Hatfield]
"To do the opposite of something is also a form of imitation, namely an imitation of its opposite." [tr. Hollingdale (1990)]

Spurgeon, Charles -- Spurgeon’s Sermons, 3rd Series, Sermon 21, “Manasseh” (1883)

Dave — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 05:02:17 +0000

Children will imitate their fathers in their vices, seldom in their repentance.

Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) British Baptist preacher, author [Charles Haddon (C.H.) Spurgeon]
Spurgeon’s Sermons, 3rd Series, Sermon 21, “Manasseh” (1883)
(Source)

Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Jr. -- “The Path of the Law,” speech, Boston University School of Law on (8 Jan 1897)

Dave — Wed, 20 May 2015 13:49:56 +0000

Most of the things we do, we do for no better reason than that our fathers have done them or our neighbors do them, and the same is true of a larger part than what we suspect of what we think.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841-1935) American jurist, Supreme Court Justice
“The Path of the Law,” speech, Boston University School of Law on (8 Jan 1897)

Eliot, T. S. -- “Philip Massinger,” The Sacred Wood (1920)

Dave — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 12:32:33 +0000

Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal.

T. S. Eliot (1888-1965) American-British poet, critic, playwright [Thomas Stearns Eliot]
“Philip Massinger,” The Sacred Wood (1920)

Shakespeare, William -- Henry V, Act 4, sc. 1, l. 80ff (4.1.80-83) (1599)

Dave — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 11:50:56 +0000

FLUELLEN: If the enemy is an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb, is it meet, think you, that we should also, look you, be an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb, in your own conscience now?

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Henry V, Act 4, sc. 1, l. 80ff (4.1.80-83) (1599)
(Source)

Scalzi, John -- The Last Colony, ch. 4 (2007)

Dave — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 14:01:52 +0000

Teenagers can be idiotic and stupid, but teenagers also model their behavior from the signals they get from adults.

John Scalzi (b. 1969) American writer
The Last Colony, ch. 4 (2007)

Bovee, Christian Nestell -- Intuitions and Summaries of Thought, Vol. 1, “Example” (1862)

Dave — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 14:18:55 +0000

Example has more followers than reason. We unconsciously imitate what pleases us, and insensibly approximate to the characters we most admire. In this way, a generous habit of thought and of action carries with it an incalculable influence.

Christian Nestell Bovee (1820-1904) American epigrammatist, writer, publisher
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought, Vol. 1, “Example” (1862)
(Source)

Bovee, Christian Nestell -- Intuitions and Summaries of Thought, Vol. 2 (1862)

Dave — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 14:00:36 +0000

At all events, the next best thing to being witty one’s self, is to be able to quote another’s wit.

Christian Nestell Bovee (1820-1904) American epigrammatist, writer, publisher
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought, Vol. 2 (1862)

Johnson, Samuel -- The Rambler, #135 (2 Jul 1751)

Dave — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:09:17 +0000

Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Rambler, #135 (2 Jul 1751)
(Source)

Chesterfield (Lord) -- Letter to his son, #67, “Thursday” (1740-41)

Dave — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:59:09 +0000

All you learn and all you can read will be of little use to you if you do not think and reason upon it yourself. One reads to know other people’s thoughts, but if we take them upon trust, without examining and comparing them with our own, it is really living upon other people’s scraps or retailing other people’s goods. To know the thoughts of others, is of use, because it suggests thoughts to one’s self, and helps one to form a judgment; but to repeat other people’s thoughts, without considering whether they are right or wrong, is the talent only of a parrot, or at most a player.

Lord Chesterfield (1694-1773) English statesman, wit [Philip Dormer Stanhope]
Letter to his son, #67, “Thursday” (1740-41)
(Source)

Chesterfield (Lord) -- Letter to his son, #214 (18 Jan 1750)

Dave — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:28:33 +0000

We are, in truth, more than half what we are by imitation. The great point is, to choose good models and to study them with care.

Lord Chesterfield (1694-1773) English statesman, wit [Philip Dormer Stanhope]
Letter to his son, #214 (18 Jan 1750)
(Source)

Hoffer, Eric -- Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 33 (1955)

Dave — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:07:43 +0000

When people are free to do as we please, they usually imitate each other.

Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 33 (1955)
(Source)

Santayana, George -- The Life of Reason or The Phases of Human Progress, Vol. 3 “Reason in Religion, ch. 7 (1905-06)

Dave — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:28:13 +0000

Fashion is something barbarous, for it produces innovation without reason and imitation without benefit.

George Santayana (1863-1952) Spanish-American poet and philosopher [Jorge Agustín Nicolás Ruíz de Santayana y Borrás]
The Life of Reason or The Phases of Human Progress, Vol. 3 “Reason in Religion, ch. 7 (1905-06)
(Source)

Herbert, George -- Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 674 (1640 ed.)

Dave — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:47:51 +0000

No sooner is a Temple built to God but the Devill builds a Chappell hard by.

George Herbert (1593-1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 674 (1640 ed.)
(Source)

See also Martin Luther.

La Rochefoucauld, Francois -- Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶230 (1665-1678) [tr. Tancock (1959)]

Dave — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:59:46 +0000

Nothing is so contagious as an example, and our every really good or bad action inspires a similar one.

[Rien n’est si contagieux que l’exemple, et nous ne faisons jamais de grands biens ni de grands maux qui n’en produisent de semblables.]

François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French epigrammatist, memoirist, noble
Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶230 (1665-1678) [tr. Tancock (1959)]
(Source)

In the manuscript and 1665 ed., this concluded "... nor are there any great evils that do not inevitably produce their like [ni de grands maux qui ne produisent infailliblement leurs pareils]."

(Source (French)). Other translations:

There is not any thing so contagious as Example, and whatever actions are done remarkable either for their Goodness or Mischief, they are Patterns to others to do the like.
[tr. Davies (1669), ¶48]

Nothing is of so pestilent spreading a Nature, as Example; and no Man does any exceeding good, or very wicked thing; but it produces others of the same kind.
[tr. Stanhope (1694), ¶231]

Nothing is so contagious as example: never is any considerable good or ill done that does not produce its like.
[pub. Donaldson (1783), ¶122; ed. Lepoittevin-Lacroix (1797), ¶219]

Nothing is so contagious as example. Never was there any considerable good or ill action, that hath not produced its like.
[ed. Carvill (1835), ¶469]

Nothing is so contagious as example; and we never do any great good or great evil which does not produce its like.
[ed. Gowens (1851), ¶241]

Nothing is so infectious as example, and we never do great good or evil without producing the like.
[tr. Bund/Friswell (1871), ¶230]

Nothing is as contagoius as example. Each of our very good or very bad acts reproduces itself.
[tr. Heard (1917), ¶237]

Nothing is so contagious as example, and all our very good or bad deeds beget their like.
[tr. Stevens (1939), ¶230]

Nothing is as contagious as example, and we never perform an outstandingly good or evil action without its producing others of its sort.
[tr. FitzGibbon (1957), ¶230]

Nothing is so contagious as example, and we never commit good or evil acts without their propagating themselves.
[tr. Kronenberger (1959), ¶230]

Nothing is so contagious as example, and we never do either great good nor great evil without producing the like.
[tr. Whichello (2016) ¶230]

Emerson, Ralph Waldo -- “Quotation and Originality,” Letters and Social Aims (1876)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

Our debt to tradition through reading and conversation is so massive, our protest or private addition so rare and insignificant, — and this commonly on the ground of other reading or hearing, — that, in a large sense, one would say there is no pure originality. All minds quote. Old and new make the warp and woof of every moment. There is no thread that is not a twist of these two strands. By necessity, by proclivity, and by delight, we all quote.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
“Quotation and Originality,” Letters and Social Aims (1876)
(Source)

Baldwin, James -- “Fifth Avenue, Uptown,” Esquire (1960-07)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.

James Baldwin (1924-1987) American novelist, playwright, activist
“Fifth Avenue, Uptown,” Esquire (1960-07)
(Source)

Reprinted in Nobody Knows My Name (1961). This is sometimes mis-cited to "The Precarious Vogue of Ingmar Bergman," Esquire (1960-04), which is also reprinted there.