The flattery of posterity is not worth much more than contemporary flattery, which is worth nothing.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Praise from future generations holds no more value than praise from people alive today, neither of which has real worth.
- In plain terms
- Compliments from the future are just as meaningless as compliments from the present.
- What can you take from it?
- Do not chase external validation from any time period.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What motivates you to create?
- How do you measure success?
Another view
Some praise can motivate improvement even if it lacks inherent value.
More from Jorge Luis Borges
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