Why we should put ourselves out of our way to do anything for posterity, for what has posterity ever done for us?
--
In a debate in the Irish House of Commons on the vote of a grant which was recommended by Sir John Parnell, Chancellor of the Exchequer, as one not likely to be felt burdensome for many years to come, it was observed in reply that the House had no right to load posterity with a debt for what could in no degree operate to their advantage. This quotation was Sir Boyle's response.
--
Barrington, Jonah. "Chapter XVII". Personal sketches and recollections of his own times. [dead link]Boyle Roche
Sir, very few people reach posterity. Who amongst us may arrive at that destination I presume not to vaticinate. Posterity is a most limited assembly. Those gentlemen who reach posterity are not much more numerous than the planets.
Benjamin Disraeli
Posterity alone rightly judges kings. Posterity alone has the right to accord or withhold honors.
Napoleon Bonaparte
As though there were a tie
And obligation to posterity.
We get them, bear them, breed, and nurse:
What has posterity done for us.
That we, lest they their rights should lose,
Should trust our necks to gripe of noose?John Trumbull
The Constitution of the United States was made not merely for the generation that then existed, but for posterity—unlimited, undefined, endless, perpetual posterity.
Henry Clay
What a singular destiny has been that of this remarkable man!—To be regarded in his own age as a classic, and in ours as a companion! To receive from his contemporaries that full homage which men of genius have in general received only from posterity; to be more intimately known to posterity than other men are known to their contemporaries!
Thomas Babington Macaulay
We are always doing something for Posterity, but I would fain see Posterity do something for us.
Joseph Addison
Roche, Boyle
Roche, James Jeffrey
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z