Epictetus Discourses 1.21 - To those who want to be admired

To those who would be admired

"For my part, I'm satisfied if I exercise my desires and aversions in accordance with nature, and apply my motives to act and not to act as my nature requires, and likewise my purposes, designs, and acts of assent."  (p. 48)

Fame is odd. In 2006, The New York times published an article entitled “The Fame Motive” by Benedict Carey, in which the author described a number of reasons as to why people seek fame or admiration.

Some may have felt ignored in their formative years in school or even by their parents. Some people, like Dr. Erik Erikson, were abandoned by a parent and had a deep-seeded desire for reassurance and to overcome self-doubt. Still for others, when they finally confront the reality that they will die one day, their values become more clear and wish to make some contribution toward something we value. But the truth of the matter is that the odds of securing any amount of notoriety are extremely small.

Heeding Epictetus’ advice is far more productive than chasing fame. Focus on things up to you. Fame is simply not up to you and pursuing fame for the sake of being famous is not a virtue.