To be the first of the kind is excellent. And to be eminent in it as well is twice as good. To have the first move is a great advantage when the players are equal. Many a person would have been as unique as a phoenix if he had been the first of the sort. Those who come first are the heirs of fame. The others get only a younger brother’s allowance; whatever they do, they cannot persuade the world they are anything more than parrots. Extraordinary people find a new path to eminence, and prudence accompanies them all the way. Because of the novelty of their enterprises, sages write their names in the golden book of heroes. Some prefer to be first in things of minor importance than second in greater exploits.

THE ART OF WORLDLY WISDOM BY BALTHASAR GRACIAN
TRANSLATED BY JOSEPH JACOBS 1892