Being a famous writer is a little like being a tall dwarf. You’re on the edge of normality.
—John Updike (1932–2009) American Novelist, Poet, Short-Story Writer
Fame is no plant that grows on mortal soil.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
The lust of fame is the last that a wise man shakes off.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
Throughout my life, I have seen narrow-shouldered men, without a single exception, committing innumerable stupid acts, brutalizing their fellows and perverting souls by all means. They call the motive for their actions fame.
—Comte de Lautreamont (1846–1870) French Symbolist Poet
Good fame is like fire; when you have kindled you may easily preserve it; but if you extinguish it, you will not easily kindle it again.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Life is a warfare and a stranger’s sojourn, and after fame is oblivion.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
One gains fame by hook or by crook.
—Anonymous
No memory of having starred atones for later disregard, or keeps the end from being hard.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
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
The fame you earn has a different taste from the fame that is forced upon you.
—Gloria Vanderbilt (1924–2019) American Fashion Designer, Socialite
What is popularly called fame is nothing but an empty name and a legacy from paganism.
—Desiderius Erasmus (c.1469–1536) Dutch Humanist, Scholar
Death makes no conquest of this conqueror: For now he lives in fame, though not in life.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
I would much rather have men ask why I have no statue than why I have one.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato) (234–149 BCE) Roman Statesman
Who would wish to be among the commonplace crowd of the little famous—who are each individually lost in a throng made up of themselves?
—John Keats (1795–1821) English Poet
The love of fame is the last weakness which even the wise resign.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
A celebrity is a person who works hard all his life to become well known, then wears dark glasses to avoid being recognized.
—Fred Allen (1894–1956) American Comedian, Radio Personality
I do not like the man who squanders life for fame; give me the man who living makes a name.
—Martial (40–104) Ancient Roman Latin Poet
Fame—a few words upon a tombstone, and the truth of those not to be depended on.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
Celebrity-worship and hero-worship should not be confused. Yet we confuse them every day, and by doing so we come dangerously close to depriving ourselves of all real models. We lose sight of the men and women who do not simply seem great because they are famous but are famous because they are great. We come closer and closer to degrading all fame into notoriety.
—Daniel J. Boorstin (1914–2004) American Historian, Academic, Attorney
I courted fame but as a spur to brave and honest deeds; who despises fame wil soon renounce the virtues that deserve it.
—David Mallet (c.1705–1765) Scottish Poet, Dramatist
Nothing is easier to avoid than publicity. If one genuinely doesn’t want it, one doesn’t get it.
—C. P. Snow (1905–1980) British Novelist, Chemist
Fame is something that must be won. Honor is something that must not be lost.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
Folly loves the martyrdom of fame.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
After I’m dead I’d rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato) (234–149 BCE) Roman Statesman
May the countryside and the gliding valley streams content me. Lost to fame, let me love river and woodland.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
Heartthrobs are a dime a dozen.
—Brad Pitt (b.1963) American Actor
‘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 Humorist, Journalist, Creator of “Mr. Dooley”
It is the penalty of fame that a man must ever keep rising.—“Get a reputation, and then go to bed,” is the absurdest of all maxims.—“Keep up a reputation or go to bed,” would be nearer the truth.
—Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814–80) American Preacher, Poet
Fame is an undertaker that pays but little attention to the living, but bedizens the dead, furnishes out their funerals, and follows them to the grave.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
I won’t be happy till I’m as famous as God.
—Madonna (b.1958) American Pop Singer, Actress
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