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“Immature artists imitate. Mature artists steal.” – – Lionel Trilling [1905-1975] American literary critic, writer, teacher

A man in suit and tie smoking a cigarette.

Lionel Mordecai Trilling

“Heredity is a strong factor, even in architecture. Necessity first mothered invention. Now invention has little ones of her own, and they look just like grandma.” – – E. B. White [1899–1985] American writer, editor

A man holding his dog in the rocks.

Elwyn Brooks “E. B.” White

“Where do architects and designers get their ideas?” The answer, of course, is mainly from other architects and designers, so is it mere casuistry to distinguish between tradition and plagiarism?” – – Stephen Bayley [b. 1951] British design critic, cultural critic, journalist and author

A man with short hair and a white shirt

Stephen Paul Bayley

“The secret to originality is carefully concealing one’s sources.” – – Charles Moore [1925-1993] American architect, educator, writer

A man with glasses and a beard wearing a suit.

Charles Willard Moore FAIA

“Style is something you can use, and you can be like a magpie, just taking what you want. The idea of the rigid style seemed to me then something you needn’t concern yourself with, it would trap you.” – – David Hockney [b. 1937] English painter, draughtsman, printmaker, stage designer and photographer – but lived in Los Angeles, California much of his life

A man wearing glasses and a hat.

“If there is something to be stolen, I steal it.” – – Pablo Picasso [1881-1973] Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, stage designer, poet and playwright – but lived in France most of his life

A man in striped shirt with hands up.

Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso