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The Power of Borrowed Ideas from Others in Shaping Our Thinking
“The ideas I stand for are not mine. I borrowed them from Socrates. I swiped them from Chesterfield. I stole them from Jesus. And I put them in a book. If you don’t like their rules, whose would you use?” – DALE CARNEGIE
The Dale Carnegie quote says something true. He admits the ideas he taught weren’t new. He didn’t pretend to invent them. He says he borrowed ideas from others—from Socrates ideas, Chesterfield wisdom, and Jesus teachings. These men lived long before him. Yet their words still work. That’s what makes it timeless wisdom. Truth doesn’t wear out. What worked then can still help us now. It’s honest to say where your thinking came from.
Some folks try to act like they’re the first. But the best leaders don’t do that. They understand the value in learning from great minds. This quote by Dale Carnegie shows respect for the past. He knew his voice was not the only one. When you use wisdom from others, you build something strong. That’s not stealing. That’s sharing knowledge. If a lesson helps someone live better, it’s worth repeating. That’s the real goal.
When we use borrowed ideas from others, we keep the best parts of history alive. We don’t need to create from nothing. We can shape old ideas into new forms. That’s what influence and inspiration is about. This is how Jesus teachings and Socrates ideas survive. Their words change to fit the times, but the meaning stays. It’s how we grow. Carnegie’s way was not flashy. He just made old truths easy to understand.
It’s easy to think that taking from others makes your work weak. But it don’t. In fact, using borrowed ideas from others shows you know what matters. It means you listened. You paid attention. This Dale Carnegie quote teaches that being honest about your sources is a strength. It connects your voice with a long line of thinkers. That’s power. That’s also respect. And that’s something young folks should learn early.
The world don’t always reward honesty, but it should. When we admit we learned from others, we build trust. That’s why this quote by Dale Carnegie sticks with people. It’s not just about books. It’s about life. Use what helps. Pass it on. And never act like you did it all alone. The best ideas come from somewhere. The best minds know that. And that’s why we keep using borrowed ideas from others, again and again.
Who is DALE CARNEGIE?
Dale Carnegie was an American writer, lecturer, and pioneer in the field of self-improvement and interpersonal skills. Born in 1888 in Missouri, he rose from a poor farming background to become one of the most influential figures in personal development. He is best known for his 1936 bestseller How to Win Friends and Influence People, which has sold millions of copies worldwide and remains a cornerstone in communication and leadership training. Carnegie believed that success came more from the ability to interact effectively with others than from technical knowledge. His courses and books have helped generations of people improve confidence, overcome fear, and build better relationships, both personally and professionally.
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Other Dale Carnegie quotes are HERE.
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“The ideas I stand for are not mine. I borrowed them from Socrates. I swiped them from Chesterfield. I stole them from Jesus. And I put them in a book. If you don’t like their rules, whose would you use?" – Dale Carnegie Share on X
