Let no man write my epitaph... When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then shall my character be vindicated, then may my epitaph be written.
Robert EmmetRead
"Let there be no inscription upon my tomb. Let no man write my epitaph. No man can write my epitaph. I am here ready to die. I am not allowed to vindicate my character; and when I am prevented from vindicating myself, let no man dare calumniate me. Let my character and motives repose in obscurity and peace, till other times and other men can do them justice.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote expresses a desire for one's true character to remain unjudged until a time when it can be properly understood.
Robert Emmet's quote reflects the notion that individuals should not be hastily judged or defined by others, especially when they cannot defend their character while alive. It emphasizes the importance of time and perspective in understanding a person's true intentions and values, suggesting that only future generations may be able to truly appreciate or judge one's legacy.
Themes
CharacterEpitaphJudgmentLegacyVindicationObscurity
In practice
Example use cases
In a memorial speech about a great leader, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of time in understanding their legacy.
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