The following are excerpts from a newspaper advertisement run by the Cadillac Motor Company in 1915:
“The Penalty of Leadership
In every field of human endeavor, he that is first must perpetually live in the white light of publicity. Whether the leadership be vested in a man or in a manufactured product, emulation and envy are ever at work. In art, in literature, in music, in industry, the reward and punishment are always the same. The reward is widespread recognition; the punishment fierce denial and detraction. When a man’s work becomes the standard for the whole world, it also becomes a target for the shafts of the envious few. If his work be mediocre, he will be left severely alone—if he achieves a masterpiece, it will set a million tongues a-wagging. Jealously does not protrude its forked tongue at the artist who produces a commonplace painting. Whatsoever you write, or paint, or play, or sing, or build, no one will strive to surpass or to slander you unless your work be stamped with the seal of genius. Long, long after a great work or a good work has been done, those who are disappointed or envious, continue to cry out that it cannot be done…The leader is assailed because he is a leader, and the effort to equal or excel him is merely added proof of that leadership…There is nothing new in this. It is as old as the world and as old as human passions—envy, fear, greed, ambition, and the desire to surpass. And it all avails to nothing…That which is good or great makes itself known, no matter how loud the clamor or denial. That which deserves to live—lives.”
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” (NLT)