As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary

As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary

Hero-worship exists, has existed, and will forever exist,
universally among Mankind.

Hero-worship exists, has existed, and will forever exist,
universally among Mankind.

Self-trust is the essence of heroism.

Self-trust is the essence of heroism.

But to the hero, when his sword
Has won the battle for the free,
Thy voice sounds read more

But to the hero, when his sword
Has won the battle for the free,
Thy voice sounds like a prophet's word,
And in its hollow tones are heard
The thanks of millions yet to be.

The idol of to-day pushes the hero of yesterday out of our
recollection, and will, in turn, be supplanted read more

The idol of to-day pushes the hero of yesterday out of our
recollection, and will, in turn, be supplanted by his successor
of to-morrow.

Many heroes lived before Agamemnon, but they are all unmourned,
and consigned to oblivion, because they had no bard read more

Many heroes lived before Agamemnon, but they are all unmourned,
and consigned to oblivion, because they had no bard to sing their
praises.
[Lat., Vixere fortes ante Agamemnona
Multi: sed omnes illacrimabiles
Urgentur, ignotique longa
Nocte, carent quia vate sacro.]

My valet-de-chambre sings me no such song.

My valet-de-chambre sings me no such song.

Each man is a hero and an oracle to somebody, and to that person
whatever he says has an read more

Each man is a hero and an oracle to somebody, and to that person
whatever he says has an enhanced value.

As the master so the valet. (Like master, like man.)
[Fr., Fel maltre, tel valet.]

As the master so the valet. (Like master, like man.)
[Fr., Fel maltre, tel valet.]