"Some men by ancestry are only the shadow of a mighty name"

This quote by Lucan speaks to the concept of acquired benefit and the power of a name. It recommends that some people are born into a legacy of greatness, but are not able to measure up to the expectations of their forefathers. They are simply a shadow of the greatness that their name implies. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the unfairness of life, as some individuals are born into a life of advantage and power, while others are born into a life of hardship and struggle. It could also be analyzed as a cautioning to those who are born into benefit, to not take their good luck for approved, and to strive to measure up to the expectations of their ancestors. Eventually, this quote speaks with the power of a name and the significance of living up to the legacy of one's ancestors.