Original artwork, not a still
Table Talk: Essays On Men And Manners (1821-1822)
No man is truly great who is great only in his lifetime. The test of greatness is the page of history.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
This argues that true greatness can't be judged in the moment; it only becomes real once history has had a chance to weigh someone's impact. Fame during a lifetime is fleeting and often hollow, but recognition that survives across generations is the genuine measure of lasting significance.
Context reviewed
