"Of present fame think little, and of future less; the praises that we receive after we are buried, like the flowers that are strewed over our grave, may be gratifying to the living, but they are nothing to the dead"

This quote by Charles Caleb Colton is a suggestion to not be too concerned with the opinions of others. He suggests that we must not think too much of the praise we receive in the present, nor must we stress over the appreciation we may get in the future. He compares the appreciation we get after we are gone to the flowers that are scattered over our tomb. While it might be pleasing to those who are still living, it is of no consequence to the dead. This quote encourages us to focus on our own values and beliefs, instead of fretting about what others think of us. It is a tip to live our lives in such a way that is true to ourselves, rather than attempting to please others.