Fame, we may understand, is no sure test of merit, but only a
probability of such: it is an read more

Fame, we may understand, is no sure test of merit, but only a
probability of such: it is an accident, not a property of a man.

Fame and riches are fleeting. Stupidity is eternal

Fame and riches are fleeting. Stupidity is eternal

Ah! who can tell how hard it is to climb
The steep where Fame's proud temple shines afar!

Ah! who can tell how hard it is to climb
The steep where Fame's proud temple shines afar!

To myself alone do I owe my fame.
[Fr., Je ne dois qu'a moi seul toute ma renommee.]

To myself alone do I owe my fame.
[Fr., Je ne dois qu'a moi seul toute ma renommee.]

Fame always brings loneliness. Success is as ice cold and lonely as the North Pole.

Fame always brings loneliness. Success is as ice cold and lonely as the North Pole.

O Fame!--if I e'er took delight in thy praises,
'Twas less for the sake of thy high-sounding phrases,
read more

O Fame!--if I e'er took delight in thy praises,
'Twas less for the sake of thy high-sounding phrases,
Than to see the bright eyes of the dear one discover
She thought that I was not unworthy to love her.

Fame is the inheritance not of the dead, but of the living. It is we who look back with lofty read more

Fame is the inheritance not of the dead, but of the living. It is we who look back with lofty pride to the great names of antiquity.

After I'm dead I'd rather have people ask why I have no monument
than why I have one.

After I'm dead I'd rather have people ask why I have no monument
than why I have one.

It's too bad I'm not as wonderful a person as people say I am, because the world could use a read more

It's too bad I'm not as wonderful a person as people say I am, because the world could use a few people like that.