Quote vs. Thought — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 14, 2024
A quote is a verbatim repetition of someone else's words or text, often cited to give credit, while a thought is an idea or opinion formed in the mind, reflecting personal cognition or feeling.
Difference Between Quote and Thought
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Quotes are explicit reproductions of another individual's spoken or written words, used in various contexts to support an argument, convey an idea, or inspire. They are attributed to their original authors or speakers to maintain authenticity and respect intellectual property. Thoughts, however, are internal mental processes that may include reflections, opinions, or contemplations. They are unique to each individual and are not necessarily expressed verbally or in writing until shared.
While a quote is a fixed set of words with a clear source, thoughts are fluid and can evolve over time. Thoughts can be inspired by various stimuli, including quotes, but they remain the personal interpretations or ideas of the individual. Quotes often serve as reference points or evidence in discussions, academic work, or literary compositions, providing authority or precedent. Thoughts, on the other hand, form the basis of creativity, problem-solving, and personal belief systems, often leading to original expressions, innovations, or decisions.
Quotes can be widely recognized and shared, becoming part of cultural or intellectual heritage. Thoughts, while they can be influenced by shared human experiences, are inherently personal and can vary significantly from person to person. In communication, quotes are used to invoke the authority or credibility of the original speaker or writer, while sharing one's thoughts is a way to offer personal insight or contribute to a dialogue.
The distinction between a quote and a thought is important in academic and professional settings, where the accuracy of attribution and the originality of ideas are paramount. While quotes bring the weight of their original context and authorship, thoughts reflect the individual's processing and interpretation of information and experiences.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A verbatim repetition of someone else's words.
An idea or opinion formed in the mind.
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Origin
From an external source (another person).
Internal, originating within an individual's mind.
Expression
Fixed and unchanged from the original.
Fluid, can evolve and change.
Attribution
Requires citation of the original source.
Personal and does not require external attribution.
Function
Used to convey authority, inspiration, or evidence.
Forms the basis of individual belief, creativity, and decision-making.
Compare with Definitions
Quote
A quote is always attributed to someone else, preserving the integrity of the original words.
She began her speech with a quote from Maya Angelou, setting the tone for her presentation.
Thought
Thoughts originate in the mind as reflections, ideas, or judgments.
His thoughts wandered to the possibilities of the new project he was about to undertake.
Quote
Once spoken or written, a quote remains unaltered, capturing a moment in time.
The quote To be, or not to be remains one of the most famous lines from Shakespeare's works.
Thought
Thoughts often serve as the seed for creativity, leading to new ideas or solutions.
The inventor's revolutionary product was born out of a simple thought during his morning walk.
Quote
Many quotes gain significance over time, becoming part of cultural or historical dialogues.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s I have a dream speech is replete with quotes that have resonated through history.
Thought
Each individual's thoughts are unique, shaped by personal experiences and perceptions.
Despite hearing the same story, their thoughts on the matter were wildly different.
Quote
Quotes are often used for their inspirational value or to borrow authority from the cited source.
The student used a quote from a renowned scientist to reinforce his argument in the research paper.
Thought
Thoughts can change and evolve based on new information or reflections.
Her initial thoughts on the subject changed dramatically after she conducted her own research.
Quote
In academic contexts, quotes serve as evidence or support for arguments and analyses.
The literature review was supported by quotes from primary sources to substantiate the thesis.
Thought
Thoughts can be kept private or shared with others through communication.
He decided to share his thoughts on the issue during the meeting, contributing valuable insights.
Quote
Repeat or copy out (words from a text or speech written or spoken by another person)
He quoted from the scriptures
I realized she was quoting passages from Shakespeare
Thought
Thought (or thinking) encompasses a flow of ideas and associations that can lead to logical conclusions. Although thinking is an activity of an existential value for humans, there is still no consensus as to how it is adequately defined or understood.
Quote
Give someone (the estimated price of a job or service)
A garage quoted him £30
Thought
Past tense and past participle of think.
Quote
Give (a company) a quotation or listing on a stock exchange
A British conglomerate quoted on the London Stock Exchange
Thought
The process of thinking; cogitation
Sitting deep in thought at the computer.
Quote
A quotation from a text or speech
A quote from Wordsworth
Thought
A product of thinking or other mental activity
What are your thoughts on this matter?.
Quote
A quotation giving the estimated cost for a particular job or service
Quotes from different insurance companies
Thought
The faculty of thinking or reasoning
Why not use thought instead of emotion to solve the problem?.
Quote
A quotation or listing of a company on a stock exchange.
Thought
The intellectual activity or production of a particular time or group
Ancient Greek thought.
Deconstructionist thought.
Quote
Quotation marks
Use double quotes around precise phrases you wish to search for
Thought
Consideration; attention
Didn't give much thought to what she said.
Quote
To repeat or copy (words from a source such as a book), usually with acknowledgment of the source
Quoted lines from Shakespeare in his lecture.
Thought
Intention; purpose
My thought is to live in a house on a lake.
Quote
To repeat or copy the words of (a person or a book or other source)
Likes to quote Shakespeare when giving advice.
Thought
Expectation or conception
She had no thought that anything was wrong.
Quote
To cite or refer to for illustration or proof
Quoted statistics to show she was right.
Thought
(countable) Representation created in the mind without the use of one's faculties of vision, sound, smell, touch, or taste; an instance of thinking.
The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.
Quote
To repeat a brief passage or excerpt from
The saxophonist quoted a Duke Ellington melody in his solo.
Thought
(uncountable) The operation by which mental activity arise or are manipulated; the process of thinking; the agency by which thinking is accomplished.
Without freedom of thought there can be no such thing as wisdom, and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech.
Quote
To state (a price) for securities, goods, or services.
Thought
(uncountable) A way of thinking (associated with a group, nation or region).
Traditional eastern thought differs markedly from that of the west.
Quote
To give a quotation, as from a book.
Thought
Anxiety, distress.
Quote
A quotation.
Thought
(uncountable) The careful consideration of multiple factors; deliberation.
After much thought, I have decided to stay.
Quote
A quotation mark.
Thought
A very small amount, distance, etc.; a whit or jot.
Quote
Used by a speaker to indicate the beginning of a direct quotation
"He paused and said, quote, I don't care, unquote.".
Thought
Simple past tense and past participle of think
Quote
A dictum; a saying.
Thought
The act of thinking; the exercise of the mind in any of its higher forms; reflection; cogitation.
Thought can not be superadded to matter, so as in any sense to render it true that matter can become cogitative.
Quote
A quotation; a statement attributed to a person.
Thought
Meditation; serious consideration.
Pride, of all others the most dangerous fault,Proceeds from want of sense or want of thought.
Quote
A quotation mark.
Thought
That which is thought; an idea; a mental conception, whether an opinion, judgment, fancy, purpose, or intention.
Thus Bethel spoke, who always speaks his thought.
Why do you keep alone, . . . Using those thoughts which should indeed have diedWith them they think on?
Thoughts come crowding in so fast upon me, that my only difficulty is to choose or to reject.
All their thoughts are against me for evil.
Quote
A summary of work to be done with a set price.
After going over the hefty quotes, the board decided it was cheaper to have the project executed by its own staff.
Thought
Solicitude; anxious care; concern.
Hawis was put in trouble, and died with thought and anguish before his business came to an end.
Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink.
Quote
A price set for a financial security or commodity.
Thought
A small degree or quantity; a trifle; as, a thought longer; a thought better.
If the hair were a thought browner.
This [faculty], to which I gave the name of the "elaborative faculty," - the faculty of relations or comparison, - constitutes what is properly denominated thought.
Quote
(transitive) To repeat (the exact words of a person).
The writer quoted the president's speech.
Thought
The content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about;
It was not a good idea
The thought never entered my mind
Quote
(transitive) To prepare a summary of work to be done and set a price.
Thought
The process of thinking (especially thinking carefully);
Thinking always made him frown
She paused for thought
Quote
To name the current price, notably of a financial security.
Thought
The organized beliefs of a period or group or individual;
19th century thought
Darwinian thought
Quote
(intransitive) To indicate verbally or by equivalent means the start of a quotation.
Thought
A personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty;
My opinion differs from yours
What are your thoughts on Haiti?
Quote
(archaic) To observe, to take account of.
Quote
To cite, as a passage from some author; to name, repeat, or adduce, as a passage from an author or speaker, by way of authority or illustration; as, to quote a passage from Homer.
Quote
To cite a passage from; to name as the authority for a statement or an opinion; as, to quote Shakespeare.
Quote
To name the current price of.
Quote
To notice; to observe; to examine.
Quote
To set down, as in writing.
Quote
A note upon an author.
Quote
A punctuation mark used to attribute the enclosed text to someone else
Quote
A passage or expression that is quoted or cited
Quote
Repeat a passage from;
He quoted the Bible to her
Quote
Name the price of;
Quote prices for cars
Quote
Refer to for illustration or proof;
He said he could quote several instances of this behavior
Quote
Put quote marks around;
Here the author is quoting his colleague
Common Curiosities
Why is it important to attribute quotes correctly?
Correct attribution ensures intellectual honesty, respects the original creator's rights, and lends credibility to the work where the quote is used.
Can a thought become a quote?
Yes, if a thought is expressed publicly and deemed significant or insightful by others, it can be quoted and attributed to the person who originally expressed it.
Can quotes influence thoughts?
Absolutely, quotes can inspire new thoughts, change perspectives, or reinforce existing ideas, playing a significant role in intellectual and emotional development.
How can I distinguish a quote from a thought in writing?
A quote is usually enclosed in quotation marks and attributed to its original source, whereas a thought, when expressed, is presented as a personal statement or reflection without citation.
Do all thoughts have value?
While not all thoughts may lead to significant outcomes, every thought has the potential to contribute to the process of learning, understanding, and creativity.
How do quotes contribute to academic research?
Quotes provide direct evidence from primary sources, support arguments, and connect the research to established knowledge in the field.
How are thoughts communicated?
Thoughts can be communicated verbally, in writing, or through artistic expressions. Unlike quotes, which retain their original form, thoughts can be adapted or evolved as they are shared.
Can thoughts be copyrighted?
Thoughts themselves cannot be copyrighted until they are expressed in a tangible form, such as written work, art, or invention, and even then, it is the expression that is protected, not the idea.
Is it possible to have completely original thoughts?
While many thoughts are influenced by existing knowledge and experiences, the unique combination of ideas can result in original thoughts.
Why do some quotes become famous?
Quotes often become famous because they succinctly express universal truths, profound insights, or resonate emotionally with a wide audience, transcending their original context.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
