Of present fame think little, and of future less; the praises that we receive after we are buried, like the flowers that are strewed over our grave, may be gratifying to the living, but they are nothing to the dead.

Summary

This quote suggests that we should not place too much importance on present fame or future recognition. It compares posthumous praises to flowers scattered on our graves. Although they might bring comfort or satisfaction to the living, they hold no significance to the deceased. The message behind this is to focus on our actions and the impact we have while we are still alive, rather than seeking validation or praise that will hold no meaning after we are gone.