"Great men, unknown to their generation, have their fame among the great who have preceded them, and all true worldly fame subsides from their high estimate beyond the stars"
- Henry David Thoreau
About this Quote
This quote by Henry David Thoreau speaks with the concept that greatness is often not acknowledged in one's life time. Fantastic males, who have actually made an enduring influence on the world, might not be known to their generation, however their legacy will reside on in the minds of those who have come prior to them. Their popularity will go beyond the boundaries of time and space, and will be kept in mind by future generations. Thoreau is suggesting that real success is not determined by worldly popularity, however by the lasting impact that an individual has actually made on the world. True achievement is something that will live on beyond the stars, and will be remembered for generations to come.
"To be really great in little things, to be truly noble and heroic in the insipid details of everyday life, is a virtue so rare as to be worthy of canonization"
"Having soon discovered to be great, I must appear so, and therefore studiously avoided mixing in society, and wrapped myself in mystery, devoting my time to fasting and prayer"