Unfortunate Role Models

It was a game played when we were kids. Which famous person would we be if we could? It wasn’t till much later that we found out that people like Napoleon had terrible hemorrhoid problems, stomach conditions, and other problems. Some may scoff at me for passing on fame for good health, but I’ll pass on being Napoleon or others just as famous.

“Glory is fleeting. But obscurity is forever.” is one of my favorite Napoleon quotes. But much of what passes for fame is notoriety when you examine the details. Napoleon’s machinations and foibles left a generation of Frenchmen shorter in stature due to poor nutrition, and he was directly responsible for the death of hundreds of thousands. Yes, he did change the map of Europe. But one can argue that it was not changed for the better. I’d say that the quote should be inked in as, “Notoriety is forever, but fame is fleeting.”

I’m not interested in playing the game at my age, but if pressed, I think I would rather be a researcher who created cures for ailments or an artist or musician who brought joy to millions. My personal fame might be fleeting, but the good would go on.

Choose role models, but choose wisely.

Daily writing prompt

If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why?

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