“The great happiness of being known to posterity”

I’ve been considering trying to get somewhat famous recently. There’s a reason, which I’ll discuss at some point in the near future (I’m avoiding it), but for now, let’s consider something Henry Fielding * wrote in Tom Jones:

The great happiness of being known to posterity…is the portion of few. To have the several elements which compose our names…repeated a thousand years hence, is a gift beyond the power of title and wealth; and is scarce to be purchased, unless by the sword and the pen. But to avoid the scandalous imputation, while we yet live, of being one whom nobody knows (a scandal, by the bye, as old as the days of Homer), will always be the envied portion of those who have a legal title either to honour or estate.

*And I like his hair.

 

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