Someone once said something like, “Why say it yourself when someone has already said it better.” That could be a horrible paraphrase, but I’m deliberately not researching in the vein of this post.

I envy those people who can, on a whim, recount others’ words from books, poems, songs, movies, and speeches. I can recite along with some of my favorite movies and sing along with an ungodly number of songs, but to have that steel-trap mind for stuff you’ve read—it’s more impressive to me for some reason.

It doesn’t make you a better person, inherently, but it does seem to add validity to things you say.

“If this person can quote Benjamin Franklin for me, then he probably knows more about this topic than I do, so I’ll listen.” Totally ridiculous, but I’m sure most people unconsciously do it.

Your own words will forever be stronger, though, so you should use them whenever possible.

Draw inspiration from others, but speak with your own voice.