Think of your forefathers! Think of your posterity!

Think of your forefathers! Think of your posterity!

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

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

The survivorship of a worthy man in his son is a pleasure scarce
inferior to the hopes of the read more

The survivorship of a worthy man in his son is a pleasure scarce
inferior to the hopes of the continuance of his own life.

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 is as likely to be wrong as anybody else

Posterity is as likely to be wrong as anybody else

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?

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.]