“Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.”
Image credits：Aronsyne,”Lewis, age 48″,CC BY-SA 4.0,C.S.-Lewis – C. S. Lewis – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- November 29, 1898 – November 22, 1963
- Born in Ireland
- Writer, scholar
- Had a major influence on fantasy literature and religious thought through his many works, including the Chronicles of Narnia series and The Poetics of Christianity
Quote
“Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.”
Explanation
In this quote, C. S. Lewis offers a counterintuitive perspective on creativity and originality, especially in the fields of literature and art. He suggests that preoccupation with being original often results in inauthentic work. The more one strives for originality for its own sake, the more likely they are to produce something contrived or artificial. Instead, Lewis argues, true originality comes from focusing on telling the truth—expressing what is genuine and real. When an artist or writer is less concerned with how their work compares to others or how new it is, they tap into deeper truths that, ironically, often lead to more authentic and original work.
Historically, Lewis was writing at a time when the modernist movement in literature and art was beginning to dominate, emphasizing experimental forms and breaking away from tradition. In the context of the 20th century, where newness was often seen as a virtue in creative expression, Lewis’s perspective serves as a reminder that authenticity matters more than novelty. He is also echoing a principle found in much of classic literature, where the focus on universal human experiences—love, suffering, hope—produces works that remain original in their timeless appeal.
In the modern world, this insight is still highly relevant. In a culture saturated with content and a constant push for innovation and new ideas, it can be easy to forget that originality often emerges when one focuses on authenticity and truth rather than on superficial novelty. Whether in writing, art, or any form of expression, when we focus on expressing our genuine experiences and perspectives, we are often able to create something uniquely our own.
