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 is a most limited assembly. Those gentlemen who reach
posterity are not much more numerous than the planets.

Posterity is a most limited assembly. Those gentlemen who reach
posterity are not much more numerous than the planets.

Posterity is as likely to be wrong as anybody else

Posterity is as likely to be wrong as anybody else

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.

After all, it is style alone by which posterity will judge of a great work, for an author can have read more

After all, it is style alone by which posterity will judge of a great work, for an author can have nothing truly his own but his style

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.

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?

Posterity: you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will read more

Posterity: you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.