In the exact moment after I’d realized that what Blaine said was true, that
I’d cribbed a laugh from someone else’s creativity and inspiration, my ego
kicked in. And, I mean, my real ego. Not ego’s sociopathic cousin, hubris,
which would have made me defensive, aggressive and ultimately rationalize the
theft. No, the good kind of ego, the kind that wanted success and fame and
praise on my own merits, no matter how long it took.
-- Patton Oswalt