Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we can not resemble

No man ever yet became great by imitation.

Imitation, if noble and general, insures the best hope of originality.

One who imitates what is bad always goes beyond his model; while one who imitates what is good always comes up short of it.

Paradoxically though it may seem, it is none the less true that life imitates art far more than art imitates life.

An imitative creature is man; whoever is foremost, leads the herd. [Ger., Der Mensch ist ein nachahmendes Geschopf. Und wer Vorderste ist, fuhrt die Heerde.]