Avoid the talk of men. For talk is mischievous, light, and easily raised, but hard to bear and difficult to be rid of. Talk never wholly dies away when many people voice her: even talk is in some ways divine.

Being a star has made it possible for me to get insulted in places where the average Negro could never hope to go and get insulted.

I won’t be happy till I’m as famous as God.

Wood burns because it has the proper stuff in it, and a man becomes famous because he has the proper stuff in him.

What a heavy burden is a name that has become too famous.

Most authors seek fame, but I seek for justice—a holier impulse than ever entered into the ambitious struggles of the votaries of that fickle, flirting goddess.

There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.

If fame is only to come after death, I am in no hurry for it.

Men are generally more pleased with a widespread than with a great reputation.

I would much rather have men ask why I have no statue than why I have one.

What is popularly called fame is nothing but an empty name and a legacy from paganism.

Fame is but the empty noise of madmen.

Reality is always the foe of famous names.