“ The desire for fame is only the desire to be continuously conspicuous and attract attention and be talked about. ”
Mark Twain, Chapters from My Autobiography (1906). copy citation
| Author | Mark Twain |
|---|---|
| Source | Chapters from My Autobiography |
| Topic | fame desire |
| Date | 1906 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/19987/19987-h/19987-h.htm |
Context
“It is a pity to say it, but these cats are not above the grade of human beings, for I know by certain signs that they are not sincere in their exhibitions of emotion, but exhibit them merely to show off and attract attention—conduct which is distinctly human, yet with a difference: they do not know enough to conceal their desire to show off, but the grown human being does. What is ambition? It is only the desire to be conspicuous. The desire for fame is only the desire to be continuously conspicuous and attract attention and be talked about.
These cats are like human beings in another way: when Ashes began to work his fictitious emotions, and show off, the other members of the firm followed suit, in order to be in the fashion. That is the way with human beings;”
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