<p>While thinking of my essay, I have the tendency to recall some more or less famous proverbs or quotes. One example that comes into my mind now: "but any big journey begins with the first step". Is it all right to introduce some of them in the college paper? Will this seem like cliches, something that is not original, even if using them is defining me in a way?</p>
<p>One of the very best college essays that I've read used a quote. The quote began a paragraph in the middle of the essay and was a springboard for the author to reflect and expand on the quote in a personal, specific, memorable and revealing way.</p>
<p>This this also mean that we must put parenthetical citation or some form of citation included in the essay to give the quote credit to every it was said by?</p>
<p>I don't know that a full-blown citation is necessary in a college essay. What I was thinking of was similar to this:</p>
<p>George Washington said to avoid entangling alliances. I say...</p>
<hr>
<p>Or, if the author's affiliation or occupation was not widely known:</p>
<p>The architect John Doe once said...</p>