“The merit of originality is not novelty; it is sincerity.”

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Thomas Carlyle481

Scottish philosopher, satirical writer, essayist, historian… 1795–1881

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“With respect to excellence of Style and Composition, it may perhaps be said that to practised ears the most pleasing Music is such as has the merit of novelty, added to refinement, and ingenious contrivance; and to the ignorant, such as is most familiar and common.”

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“At each stage of in the advance of mathematical thought the outstanding characteristics are novelty and originality. That is why mathematics is such a delight to study, such a challenge to practise and such a puzzle to define.”

George Frederick James Temple (1901–1992) British mathematician

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“What is it we value? Innovation. Originality. Novelty. But most importantly… timeliness. I fear you may be too late, my confused, unfortunate, friend.”

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“Though sincerity and confidence have many points of resemblance, they have yet many points of difference. Sincerity is an openness of heart, which shows us what we are, a love of truth, a dislike to deception, a wish to compensate our faults and to lessen them by the merit of confessing them.”

François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680) French author of maxims and memoirs

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“Without feeling abashed by my ignorance, I confess that I am absolutely unable to say. In the absence of an appearance of learning, my answer has at least one merit, that of perfect sincerity.”

Jean Henri Fabre (1823–1915) French entomologist and author

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“A human being is a flower that originates miraculously amidst a cosmic desert, capable of becoming a blossoming universal tree if we recognize this meaning and sincerely desire to.”

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“Much brass has been sounded and many cymbals tinkled in the name of advertising; but the advertisements which persuade people to act are written by men who have an abiding respect for the intelligence of their readers, and a deep sincerity regarding the merits of the goods they have to sell.”

Bruce Fairchild Barton book The Man Nobody Knows

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“There is merit without attainment, but no attainment without some merit.”

François de La Rochefoucauld book Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims

Il y a du mérite sans élévation, mais il n'y a point d'élévation sans quelque mérite.
Maxim 400.
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665–1678)

“What makes a painting fascinating is its sincerity. Sincerity is such a rare thing. Most people don't dare to be sincere.”

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“Mere bashfulness without merit is awkward; and merit without modesty, insolent. But modest merit has a double claim to acceptance, and generally meets with as many patrons as beholders.”

Joseph Addison (1672–1719) politician, writer and playwright

No. 231 (24 November 1711).
The Spectator (1711–1714)

“The merit of originality is not novelty; it is sincerity.”

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Thomas Carlyle481

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