The temple of fame stands upon the grave; the flame upon its altars is kindled from the ashes of the dead.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Oblivion is the rule, and fame the exception of humanity.
—Antoine de Rivarol (1753–1801) French Writer, Epigrammatist
True glory takes root, and even spreads; all false pretences, like flowers, fall to the ground; nor can any counterfeit last long.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
‘What’s fame, after all, me la-ad? ‘Tis apt to be what some wan writes on ye’er tombstone.
—Finley Peter Dunne (1867–1936) American Author, Writer, Humorist
The day will come when everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes.
—Andy Warhol (1928–87) American Painter, Printmaker, Film Personality
What’s fame? a fancy’d life in other’s breath. A thing beyond us, even before our death.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
If I’m such a legend, then why am I so lonely? Let me tell you, legends are all very well if you’ve got somebody around who loves you.
—Judy Garland (1922–69) American Actress, Singer
The professional celebrity, male and female, is the crowning result of the star system of a society that makes a fetish of competition. In America, this system is carried to the point where a man who can knock a small white ball into a series of holes in the ground with more efficiency than anyone else thereby gains social access to the President of the United States.
—C. Wright Mills (1916–62) American Sociologist, Academic
Fame is the thirst of youth.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
Fame is something that must be won. Honor is something that must not be lost.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
The stars are the apexes of what triangles!
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
You have to know exactly what you want out of your career. If you want to be a star, you don’t bother with other things.
—Marilyn Horne (b.1934) American Mezzo-Soprano
Riches: A dream in the night. Fame: A gull floating on water.
—Chinese Proverb
Fame is only good for one thing—they will cash your check in a small town.
—Truman Capote (1924–84) American Novelist
Celebrity is a mask that eats into the face. As soon as one is aware of being “somebody,” to be watched and listened to with extra interest, input ceases, and the performer goes blind and deaf in his over-animation. One can either see or be seen.
—John Updike (1932–2009) American Novelist, Poet, Short-Story Writer
There is not a more unhappy being than a superannuated idol.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Fortune is no real thing.
But men who cannot bear what comes to them
In Nature’s way, give their own characters
The name of Fortune.
—Menander (c.343–c.291 BCE) Greek Comic Dramatist, Poet
I think I understand what military fame is; to be killed on the field of battle and have your name misspelled in the newspapers.
—William Tecumseh Sherman (1820–91) American Military Leader, Businessperson, Educator
The present condition of fame is merely fashion.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Of present fame think little, and of future less; the praises that we receive after we are buried, like the flowers that are strewed over our grave, may be gratifying to the living, but they are nothing to the dead; the dead are gone, either to a place where they hear them not, or where, if they do, they will despise them.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of non-violence to coyer impotence.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Each man has his appointed day: short and irreparable in the brief life of all, but to extend our fame by our deeds, this is the work of mankind.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
An earthly immortality belongs to a great and good character.—History embalms it; it lives in its moral influence, in its authority, in its example, in the memory of its words and deeds.
—Edward Everett (1794–1865) American Politician, Scholar
What a heavy burden is a name that has too soon become famous.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Of all the possessions of this life, fame is the noblest; when the body has sunk into the dust the great name still lives.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
The fame of great men ought to be judged always by the means they used to acquire it.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
It is a short walk from the hallelujah to the hoot.
—Vladimir Nabokov (1899–1977) Russian-born American Novelist
When God lets loose a great thinker on this planet, then all things are at risk. There is not a piece of science but its flank may be turned tomorrow; nor any literary reputation or the so-called eternal names of fame that may not be refused and condemned.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
I am not covetous for gold; but if it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul alive.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
If you come to fame not understanding who you are, it will define who you are.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
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