“Martyrdom, sir, is what these people like: it is the only way in which a man can become famous without ability.”

— George Bernard Shaw , The Devil's Disciple

The Devil's Disciple, Act II
1900s

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George Bernard Shaw 413

Irish playwright 1856–1950

William Feather (1889–1981) Publisher, Author

The Business of Life (1949)
Context: Many people are thwarted by excessive ambition. They want a hundred thousand dollars but are unwilling to save a hundred dollars. They want a big house, but do not accumulate enough money to make the down payment on on a small house. They want to write a book, but will not learn to write a letter. Most men become successful and famous, not through ambition, but through ability and character.

“I think that there is this idea that what you should go after is fame. That is a hugely mistaken idea because fame means absolutely nothing. This whole culture of wanting to become famous is on a hiding to nothing, a sign of a society that’s lost its way and will only judge people as being valid if they’re famous, which of course is all bullshit. As Tom Stoppard said, the only thing that fame means is that more people know you than you know.”

Jeremy Irons (1948) English actor

Jeremy Irons: Why our TV isn't what it used to be
The Telegraph
2008-12-20
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/drama/3870293/Jeremy-Irons-Why-our-TV-isnt-what-it-used-to-be.html
2011-08-11

“I think I'm actually in denial that I'm famous, it only sinks in when people crowd in the streets. My friends treat me like a regular person, which is what I wanted.”

Emma Watson (1990) British actress and model

Girl's Life Magazine 2007

“It is in the best interest of a man to become a Karma-Yogi and work to the best of his abilities and without bothering about the results.”

Vyasa central and revered figure in most Hindu traditions

Sources, Veda Vyasa Maharshi

“Greek, sir, is like lace; every man gets as much of it as he can.”

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) English writer

1780
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), Vol IV

“That state is a state of Slavery in which a man does what he likes to do in his spare time and in his working time that which is required of him. This state can only exist when what a man likes to do is to please himself. ¶ That state is a state of Freedom in which a man does what he likes to do in his working time and in his spare time that which is required of him. This state can only exist when what a man likes to do is to please God.”

Eric Gill (1882–1940) British artist

Art Nonsense and Other Essays (1929), published by Cassell; quoted in Eric Gill: Man of Flesh and Spirit by Malcolm Yorke, published by Tauris Parke ISBN 1-86064-584-4, p. 49