# Quote — Clarence Darrow, The Story Of My Life

> Ancestors do not mean so much. The rebel who succeeds generally makes it easier for the posterity that follows him; so these descendants are usually contented and smug and soft. Rebels are made from life, not ancestors.

- Author: [Clarence Darrow](https://www.leafyquotes.com/clarence-darrow.md)
- Book: [The Story Of My Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/clarence-darrow/the-story-of-my-life.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Clarence_Darrow#The_Story_of_My_Life_(1932)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Topics: [character](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/character.md)
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/clarence-darrow/the-story-of-my-life/ancestors-do-not

## More from this book

> I have always felt that doubt was the beginning of wisdom, and the fear of God was the end of wisdom.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/clarence-darrow/the-story-of-my-life/i-have-always.md)

Topics: [wisdom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/wisdom.md), [doubt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/doubt.md)

> One cannot live through a long stretch of years without forming some philosophy of life. As one journeys along he gains experiences and even some ideas. Accumulated opinions and philosophy may be more important to others than the bare facts about how he lived, so my ambition is not so much to relate the occurrences as to record the ideas that life has forced me to accept; and, after all, thoughts, impressions and feelings are really life itself. I should like to think that these reflections might make existence a trifle easier for some of those who may chance to read this story.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/clarence-darrow/the-story-of-my-life/one-cannot-live.md)

Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md)

> I was truly sorry for Mr. Bryan. But I consoled myself by thinking of the years through which he had busied himself tormenting intelligent professors with impudent questions about their faith, and seeking to arouse the ignoramuses and bigots to drive them out of their positions.

p. 267 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/clarence-darrow/the-story-of-my-life/i-was-truly.md)

Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md)