Is it ever ok to plagiarise a job application?

[EagleOrIgel]

Say I'm applying to a research group and I've read a couple of their papers (in a different language). Is it ok to take their conclusions and write it as a (translated) motivation sentence for my cover letter?

No. They have advertised new roles, presumably because they want new ideas? Is Rehashing the same stuff they’ve already produced going to get you the job?

I can't imagine it would go down well to actually plagiarise it. If you can't write it by yourself you're probably not right for the job.

Surely if you're looking to quote their work (which they might recognise...) it would be better to just reference it properly, to show you've actually read and appreciated their work? And that you know how to reference and not plagiarise....

You could quote them, and then expand on the quote with your own thoughts and ideas, but you can't use their work as your own!