"In these days a man is nobody unless his biography is kept so far posted up that it may be ready for the national breakfast-table on the morning after his demise"
- Anthony Trollope
About this Quote
This quote by Anthony Trollope highlights the fixation with popularity and public image in society. He suggests that in contemporary times, a person's worth is measured by how well their life story is understood and shown the general public. Trollope utilizes the phrase "national breakfast-table" to symbolize the prevalent interest and intake of personal info in the media. He also suggests that this obsession with biographies extends even after an individual's death, as their tradition is judged by how well their life story is presented to the general public. In general, Trollope's quote reflects on the superficial nature of society and the significance put on external validation and recognition.
"I weep for the liberty of my country when I see at this early day of its successful experiment that corruption has been imputed to many members of the House of Representatives, and the rights of the people have been bartered for promises of office"