Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Genius borrows nobly. When Shakespeare is charged 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.

Genius borrows nobly. When Shakespeare is charged with debts

Summary

This quote emphasizes the idea that the true mark of genius is not in blindly imitating or copying others, but in taking inspiration and creatively transforming existing ideas. It refers to the criticism that Shakespeare faced for borrowing elements from other authors' works, to which Landor defends him by saying that Shakespeare's genius lies in his ability to surpass his sources and bring new life to them. It suggests that true brilliance lies in reimagining and innovating, rather than just replicating or replicating without adding anything substantial.

Topics

Life

By Ralph Waldo Emerson

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