# The Gentle Art of Citation

## Roots Beneath the Words

Every thought we share stands on ground prepared by others. A citation isn't just a rule—it's a quiet nod to those invisible hands that shaped our ideas. In the simple format of Markdown, a superscript number or bracketed reference pulls back the curtain, revealing the path from someone else's mind to ours. It's a reminder that no insight blooms alone; it's fed by rivers of past voices.

## Weaving a Shared Tapestry

Imagine knowledge as a vast cloth, each citation a thread connecting one patch to another. Without them, the fabric frays into isolated scraps. With them, patterns emerge—stories of discovery, debate, and quiet evolution. On a site like citations.md, these threads aren't dry obligations; they're lifelines. They honor the student who scribbled a note in 2026, the teacher who sparked a question, the forgotten writer whose words still whisper.

## Living the Practice

Beyond screens, citation becomes a way of being. When we credit a friend's advice or a stranger's kindness, we build trust. It slows us down, invites humility, and turns solitary work into a chorus.

*In giving credit, we receive connection.*

*What one voice starts, many can carry forward.*