Original Topics

The key to the age may be this, or that, or the other, as the young orators describe; the key to all ages is—Imbecility: imbecility in the vast majority of men, at all times, and even in heroes, in all but certain eminent moments: victims of gravity, customs and fear. This gives force to the strong,—that the multitude have no habit of self-reliance or original action.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

It will be the mistake of your life if you go into print in your own defence [sic]. Your denial will reach a new set of people and start them to talking, while the ones who read the original charges will never see the refutation of them.
—Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906)

We are obliged to regard many of our original minds as crazy at least until we have become as clever as they are.
—G.C. (Georg Christoph)