praise of
fame, it is no way convenient for him to be named in many countries.
Wherefore, every man must be content with that glory which he may have
at home, and that noble immortality of fame must be comprehended within
the compass of one nation.

Now, how many, most famous while they lived, are altogether forgotten
for want of writers! Though what do writings themselves avail which
perish, as well as their authors, by continuance and obscurity of time?
But you imagine that you make yourselves immortal when you cast your
eyes upon future fame. Whereas, if thou weighest attentively the
infinite spaces of eternity, what cause hast thou to rejoice at the
prolonging of thy name? For if we compare the stay of one moment with
ten thousand years, since both be limited, they have some proportion,
though it be but very small. But this number of years, how oft so ever
it be multiplied, is no way comparable to endless eternity. For limited
things may in some sort be compared among themselves, but that which is
infinite admitteth no comparison at all with the limited. So that the
fame of never so long time, if it be compared with everlasting eternity,
seemeth not little but none at all. But without popular blasts and vain
rumours you know not how to do well, and, rejecting the excellency of a
good conscience and of virtue, you choose to be rewarded with others'
tattling. Hear how pleasantly one jested at this vain and contemptible
arrogancy. For having assaulted with reproachful speeches a certain
fellow who had falsely taken upon him the name of a philosopher, not for
the use of virtue but for vainglory, and having added that now he would
know whether he were a philosopher or no by his gentle and patient
bearing of injuries, the other took all patiently for a while, and
having borne his contumely, as it were, triumphing, said: 'Dost thou now
at length think me a philosopher?' To which he bitingly replied: 'I
would have thought thee one if thou hadst holden thy peace.' But what
have excellent men (for of these I speak) who seek for glory by virtue,
what have we, I say, to expect for these by fame after final death hath
dissolved the body? For if, contrary to our belief, men wholly perish,
there is no glory at all, since he to whom it is said to belong is
nowhere extant. But if a guiltless mind freed from earthly imprisonment
goeth forthwith to heaven, will she