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

Never forget posterity when devising a policy. Never think of posterity when making a speech.

Never forget posterity when devising a policy. Never think of posterity when making a speech.

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.

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.]

He only half dies who leaves an image of himself in his sons.
[It., Muore per meta chi lascia read more

He only half dies who leaves an image of himself in his sons.
[It., Muore per meta chi lascia un' immagine di se stesso nei
figi.]

He thinks posterity is a pack-horse, always ready to be loaded.

He thinks posterity is a pack-horse, always ready to be loaded.

Think of your forefathers! Think of your posterity!

Think of your forefathers! Think of your posterity!

What has poster'ty done for us,
That we, lest they their rights should lose,
Should trust our read more

What has poster'ty done for us,
That we, lest they their rights should lose,
Should trust our necks to gripe of noose?

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?