It has been said—by Carlyle?—that the history of mankind is the history of great men who have risen from the null crowd that composes it. From this, the modern tragedy: the democratic social structure simply restrains the rise of great men, putting in their place abject demagogues, slaves to the popular will. To rise and achieve recognition, a modern man must become a spokesman for the stupid majority, setting aside his individuality to become a circus entertainer, a crowd-shaker. It is precisely the distinguished who cannot rise, this possibility being exclusive to those who resemble as many individuals as possible. The failure!
The History of Great Men Who Stood Out From the Crowd
