imitation quotes

The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual exercise of the most boisterous passions, the most unremitting despotism on the one part, and degrading submissions on the other. Our children see this, and learn to imitate it.

Art is not merely an imitation of the reality of nature, but in truth a metaphysical supplement to the reality of nature, placed alongside thereof for its conquest.

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

The bad gains respect through imitation, the good loses it especially in art.

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

In everything truth surpasses the imitation and copy.

Sometimes it’s flattering when people copy you, but sometimes it gets to a breaking point.

Were I called on to define, very briefly, the term Art, I should call it ‚the reproduction of what the Senses perceive in Nature through the veil of the soul.‘ The mere imitation, however accurate, of what is in Nature, entitles no man to the sacred name of ‚Artist.‘

Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing.

Originality is nothing but judicious imitation. The most original writers borrowed one from another.

Life doesn’t imitate art, it imitates bad television.

Do something wonderful, people may imitate it.

The false is nothing but an imitation of the true.

The poet, being an imitator like a painter or any other artist, must of necessity imitate one of three objects – things as they were or are, things as they are said or thought to be, or things as they ought to be. The vehicle of expression is language – either current terms or, it may be, rare words or metaphors.

All art is but imitation of nature.

A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example.

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

It is better to imitate ancient than modern work.

To refrain from imitation is the best revenge.