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About this quote

What does it mean?
The quote distinguishes between fame and true success, using Madonna and Helen Keller as contrasting examples.
In plain terms
Fame and success are different things; one is popular, the other is meaningful.
What can you take from it?
True success is not the same as being famous.

Where it applies

  • career advice
  • personal goals
  • media critique

Putting it to work

  • define personal success
  • evaluate role models

Questions to consider

  • What defines success to you?
  • Is fame valuable?

Another view

It simplifies complex figures into binary categories of fame and success.

More from Erma Bombeck

  1. Did you ever notice that the first piece of luggage on the carousel never belongs to anyone?

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  2. Getting out of the hospital is a lot like resigning from a book club. You're not out of it until the computer says you're out of it.

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  3. Big deal! I'm used to dust.

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