Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on fame

The heights by great men reached and kept, were not obtained by sudden flight. But they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day. Their old, familiar carols play. And wild and sweet the words repeat. Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man’s life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.

In the future everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.

Andy Warhol1928–1987Catalogue of an exhibition of his art in Stockholm, Sweden (1968)

Fame is a fickle food upon a shifting plate.

Emily Dickinson1830–1886Fame is a fickle food (B)

Love of fame is the last thing even learned men can bear to be parted from.

Tacitus55–120