There is nothing new under the sun. It has all been done before.
 Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet (1887). copy citation

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Author Arthur Conan Doyle
Source A Study in Scarlet
Topic novelty repeating
Date 1887
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/244/244-h/244-h.htm

Context

“«Then, of course, this blood belongs to a second individual—8 presumably the murderer, if murder has been committed. It reminds me of the circumstances attendant on the death of Van Jansen, in Utrecht, in the year '34. Do you remember the case, Gregson?»
«No, sir.»
«Read it up—you really should. There is nothing new under the sun. It has all been done before.»
As he spoke, his nimble fingers were flying here, there, and everywhere, feeling, pressing, unbuttoning, examining, while his eyes wore the same far-away expression which I have already remarked upon.” source

Meaning and analysis

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