Is there a statute of limitation on citation?

When should you cite a journal article? If someone does something for the first time, and you use their work in some way for your own, it is expected that you cite the original work.

Is it then acceptable in your next article, to cite your last paper, rather than the original work? Can this not give a mis-impression of originality?

I am asking readers of this weblog, for the first time, to enter "Comments" on this question. I have set up this page so all comments are moderated by me before appearing, but you can post anonymously.