“The stage is an epitome, a bettered likeness of the world, with the dull part left out: and, indeed, with this omission, it is nearly big enough to hold all the rest. What brings the resemblance nearer is, that, as they imitate us, we, in our turn, imitate them.” — William Hazlitt, “On Actors and Acting,” The Examiner (1817-01-05)
“People like you to be something, preferably what they are.” — John Steinbeck, East of Eden
“Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.” — Samuel Johnson, The Rambler, No. 135 (1751-07-02)
“Art is not imitation but illusion.” — Charles Reade, Christie Johnstone
“It is better to fail in originality, than to succeed in imitation.” — Herman Melville, “Hawthorne and His Mosses,” The Literary World (24 August 1850)
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