A paragraph from Lucas’ first chapter, “The Value of Style,” will suffice to render his point of view, with its fine sense of perspective and proportion, plain: It is unlikely that many of us will be famous, or even remembered. But not less important than the brilliant few that lead a nation or a literature to fresh achievements, are the unknown many whose patient efforts keep the world from running backward; who guard and maintain the ancient values, even if they do not conquer new; whose inconspicuous triumph it is to pass on what they inherited from their fathers, unimpaired and undiminished, to their sons. Enough, for almost all of us, if we can hand on the torch, and not let it down; content to win the affection, if it may be, of a few who know us and to be forgotten when they in their turn have vanished. The destiny of mankind is not governed wholly by its “stars.”
~ Joseph Epstein, A Literary Education and Other Essays
Photo: Lachlan von Nubia
Live & Learn 
still, I would like to be a star…………..
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I believe many of us have that at our core….
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The destiny of mankind is not governed wholly by its “stars.”… wisdom indeed.
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It is Val
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“…content to win the affection, if it may be, of a few who know us and to be forgotten when they in their turn have vanished.” This is my aim. 🙂
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Mine too Lori…
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Comforting, indeed.
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I think being forgotten is one of the reasons death is so terrifying.
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Or, being judged to be lesser.
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this made me cry with the truth of it all –
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I was equally moved by it Beth…
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