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Were not this desire of fame very strong, the difficulty of
obtaining it, and the danger of losing it read more
Were not this desire of fame very strong, the difficulty of
obtaining it, and the danger of losing it when obtained, would be
sufficient to deter a man from so vain a pursuit.
Herostratus lives that burnt the temple of Diana; he is almost
lost that built it.
Herostratus lives that burnt the temple of Diana; he is almost
lost that built it.
And what after all is everlasting fame? Altogether vanity.
And what after all is everlasting fame? Altogether vanity.
What is the end of Fame? 'tis but to fill
A certain portion of uncertain paper:
Some read more
What is the end of Fame? 'tis but to fill
A certain portion of uncertain paper:
Some liken it to climbing up a hill,
Whose summit, like all hills, is lost in vapour:
For this men write, speak, preach, and heroes kill,
And bards burn what they call their "midnight taper,"
To have, when the original is dust,
A name, a wretched picture, and worse bust.
After I'm dead I'd rather have people ask why I have no monument
than why I have one.
After I'm dead I'd rather have people ask why I have no monument
than why I have one.
I'm never going to be famous. My name will never be writ large on the roster of Those Who Do read more
I'm never going to be famous. My name will never be writ large on the roster of Those Who Do Things. I don't do any thing. Not one single thing. I used to bite my nails, but I don't even do that any more.
Nothing can cover his high fame but Heaven;
No pyramids set off his memories,
But the eternal read more
Nothing can cover his high fame but Heaven;
No pyramids set off his memories,
But the eternal substance of his greatness,--
To which I leave him.
O Fame!--if I e'er took delight in thy praises,
'Twas less for the sake of thy high-sounding phrases,
read more
O Fame!--if I e'er took delight in thy praises,
'Twas less for the sake of thy high-sounding phrases,
Than to see the bright eyes of the dear one discover
She thought that I was not unworthy to love her.