I also have this issue. I wrote many articles for my blog but now I want to copy the contents on my website. I think I should not duplicate the same articles.
I tried making a mass network of blogs consisting of thousands of copied articles. It never went anywhere. I have since made other sites with original content which have been fairly sucessful.
if u add them to your own website you won't be penilized, you won't get any benefit from it. Unless u have high PR.
You make it sound so easy. The problem is spun articles don't get accepted into article directories because they read like complete rubbish. If they do get accepted, it speaks about the quality of the directory and the link value
there are programs out there that automaticaly write articles for you based on keywords. Easily edited too.
I would do a gentle remix of the article, but don't spend too much time on it. You have to weight the cost/benefit.