The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.
Thomas CarlyleRead
Originality is a thing we constantly clamour for, and constantly quarrel with.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Originality is desired but often criticized.
This quote by Thomas Carlyle suggests that while society values originality and individuality, there is also a tendency to challenge or reject those who express unique ideas or perspectives. It reflects the paradox of wanting people to be original yet simultaneously creating standards that may stifle true creativity.
Themes
OriginalityCreativitySocietyIndividualityExpression
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of expressing unique ideas in creative fields.
More from Thomas Carlyle
All quotes →Thirty millions, mostly fools.
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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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