The man was laughed at as a blunderer who said in a public
business: "we do much for posterity; read more

The man was laughed at as a blunderer who said in a public
business: "we do much for posterity; I would fain see them do
something for us."

Posterity is as likely to be wrong as anybody else

Posterity is as likely to be wrong as anybody else

We are always doing, says he, something for Posterity, but I
would fain see Posterity do something for us.

We are always doing, says he, something for Posterity, but I
would fain see Posterity do something for us.

Herself the solitary scion left
Of a time-honour'd race.

Herself the solitary scion left
Of a time-honour'd race.

People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors

People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors

Posterity, thinned by the crime of its ancestors, shall hear of
those battles.
[Lat., Audiet pugnas, vitio parentum
read more

Posterity, thinned by the crime of its ancestors, shall hear of
those battles.
[Lat., Audiet pugnas, vitio parentum
Rara juventus.]

Posterity gives to every man his true honor.
[Lat., Suum cuique decus posteritas rependet.]

Posterity gives to every man his true honor.
[Lat., Suum cuique decus posteritas rependet.]

I hope that posterity will judge me kindly, not only as to the things which I have explained, but also read more

I hope that posterity will judge me kindly, not only as to the things which I have explained, but also to those which I have intentionally omitted so as to leave to others the pleasure of discovery.

I despise mankind in all its strata; I foresee that our
descendants will be still far unhappier than we read more

I despise mankind in all its strata; I foresee that our
descendants will be still far unhappier than we are. Would I not
be a criminal if, notwithstanding this view, I should provide for
progeny, i.e. for unfortunates?
[Ger., Ich verachte die Menschheit in allen ihren Schichten; ich
sehe es voraus, dass unsere Nachkommen noch weit unglucklicher
sein werden, als wir. Sollte ich nicht ein Sunder sein, wenn ich
trotz dieser Ansicht fur Nachkommen, d.h. fur Ungluckliche
sorgte?