As to posterity, I may ask (with somebody whom I have forgot)
what has it ever done to oblige read more

As to posterity, I may ask (with somebody whom I have forgot)
what has it ever done to oblige me?

Why do you ask, how long has he lived? He has lived to
posterity.
[Lat., Quid quaeris, quamdiu read more

Why do you ask, how long has he lived? He has lived to
posterity.
[Lat., Quid quaeris, quamdiu visit? Vixit ad posteros.]

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.]

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."

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?

What dazzles, for the moment spends its spirit;
What's genuine, shall posterity inherit.
[Ger., Was glanzt ist read more

What dazzles, for the moment spends its spirit;
What's genuine, shall posterity inherit.
[Ger., Was glanzt ist fur den Augenblick geboren;
Das Aechte bleibt der Nachwelt unverloren.]

Strangers are contemporary posterity.
[Fr., Les etrangers sont la posterite contemporaine.]

Strangers are contemporary posterity.
[Fr., Les etrangers sont la posterite contemporaine.]

Why should we put ourselves out of our way to do anything for
posterity; for what has posterity done read more

Why should we put ourselves out of our way to do anything for
posterity; for what has posterity done for us?

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.