Who said “Invention strictly speaking, is little more than a new combination of those images which…”?

Verified

Sir Joshua Reynolds. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceDiscourse no. 2, delivered on December 11, 1769; vol. 1, p. 28.

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“Invention strictly speaking, is little more than a new combination of those images which have been previously gathered and deposited in the memory; nothing can come from nothing.”
VerifiedDiscourse no. 2, delivered on December 11, 1769; vol. 1, p. 28. · evidenceInvention and Inventor
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For academic work, cite the original where you can: Discourse no. 2, delivered on December 11, 1769; vol. 1, p. 28..

APA

Reynolds, S. J. (n.d.). Invention strictly speaking, is little more than a new combination of those images which have been previously gathered and deposited in the memory; nothing can come from nothing. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/5224-invention-strictly-speaking-is-little-more-than-a/

MLA

Reynolds, Sir Joshua. “Invention strictly speaking, is little more than a new combination of those images which have been previously gathered and deposited in the memory; nothing can come from nothing.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/5224-invention-strictly-speaking-is-little-more-than-a/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Reynolds, Sir Joshua. “Invention strictly speaking, is little more than a new combination of those images which have been previously gathered and deposited in the memory; nothing can come from nothing.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/5224-invention-strictly-speaking-is-little-more-than-a/.