The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.
Thomas CarlyleRead
The merit of originality is not novelty; it is sincerity. The believing man is the original man; whatsoever he believes, he believes it for himself, not for another.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Originality stems from genuine belief and sincerity, not merely from being new or different.
In this quote, Thomas Carlyle emphasizes that true originality is rooted in sincerity rather than superficial novelty. He suggests that a person who believes in something sincerely does so for themselves, rather than conforming to the beliefs of others, making them an original thinker. This highlights the importance of personal conviction and authenticity in expressing one's ideas and beliefs.
Themes
OriginalitySincerityBeliefAuthenticityConviction
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about self-discovery and authenticity, this quote can inspire individuals to embrace their genuine beliefs.
More from Thomas Carlyle
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There is a great discovery still to be made in literature, that of paying literary men by the quantity they do not write.
Thomas CarlyleRead
For the superior morality, of which we hear so much, we too would desire to be thankful: at the same time, it were but blindness to deny that this superior morality is properly rather an inferior criminality, produced not by greater love of Virtue, but by greater perfection of Police; and of that far subtler and stronger Police, called Public Opinion.
Thomas CarlyleRead
Enjoying things which are pleasant; that is not the evil; it is the reducing of our moral self to slavery by them that is.
Thomas CarlyleRead
Clean undeniable right, clear undeniable might: either of these once ascertained puts an end to battle. All battle is a confused experiment to ascertain one and both of these.
Thomas CarlyleRead
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