Who said “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”?

Verified

Edith Wharton. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"Vesalius in Zante (1564)", in North American Review (November 1902), p. 631

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“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
Verified"Vesalius in Zante (1564)", in North American Review (November 1902), p. 631 · evidenceGiving
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: "Vesalius in Zante (1564)", in North American Review (November 1902), p. 631.

APA

Wharton, E. (n.d.). There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15190-there-are-two-ways-of-spreading-light-to/

MLA

Wharton, Edith. “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15190-there-are-two-ways-of-spreading-light-to/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Wharton, Edith. “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15190-there-are-two-ways-of-spreading-light-to/.