I think the greatest of people that have ever been in society

Hear these words, spoken by Neil deGrasse Tyson, that shine like a guiding star in the night sky: “I think the greatest of people that have ever been in society, they were never versions of someone else. They were themselves.” This is no passing thought, but a truth carved deep into the heart of human history. The essence of greatness is not in imitation, but in authenticity. For the world has always had voices urging us to conform, to fit into the molds cast by others, yet the most luminous souls broke free of these chains and stood boldly as their true selves.

From the ancient prophets to the modern visionaries, we see that greatness emerges not from duplication but from originality. Socrates did not become Athens’ gadfly by echoing the accepted wisdom; he asked questions others feared to raise. Galileo did not lend his voice to the choir of dogma; he dared to say that the Earth itself moved. Rosa Parks did not follow the quiet rules of submission; she chose instead the path of dignity and defiance. These figures remind us that to be oneself, fully and courageously, is to carve a path no one else can walk.

Consider the tale of Albert Einstein. In school, he was thought slow, even incapable of keeping pace with the lessons of others. Teachers doubted him because he did not learn in the manner expected. Yet it was precisely his refusal to simply echo the voices of tradition that led him to reshape our understanding of the universe itself. Had he sought only to be a version of someone else, to copy the thoughts of others, his brilliance would have been extinguished. Instead, he chose to remain true to his own vision, and in doing so, he altered the course of human knowledge.

The meaning of Tyson’s words is not only to celebrate the giants of history, but to speak directly to each of us: you, too, are not called to be a shadow of another. The world does not need another copy of its heroes—it needs your authentic light. A society of imitators is a society without progress. But a society that treasures the unique gifts of each person is a society that flourishes, for every voice, every perspective, every authentic self adds richness to the tapestry of humanity.

Yet we must acknowledge: to be oneself in a world that demands conformity is an act of courage. It is easier to hide behind masks, to follow the well-trodden path, to silence the voice that whispers within. But Tyson reminds us that the greatest people in society were never afraid to be themselves. Their courage came not from being without fear, but from choosing authenticity over acceptance, truth over imitation, originality over safety.

The lesson, then, is clear: do not waste your life trying to become a pale reflection of another. Instead, nurture the spark that is uniquely yours. Ask yourself not, “How can I be like them?” but, “How can I be fully myself?” In your work, in your art, in your relationships, in your choices—let authenticity guide you. Learn from others, yes, but let their lessons shape you into your fullest self, not a copy of their greatness.

And what actions should you take, O seeker of truth? Cultivate self-knowledge, for to be yourself you must first know who you are. Resist the temptation to measure your worth against the standards of others. Honor the gifts that are uniquely yours, whether they be humble or grand. Speak with your own voice, even when it trembles. For the world is not waiting for another version of someone else—it is waiting for you.

Thus, let Tyson’s words be etched upon your heart: the greatest of people were never copies—they were themselves. Live not as an echo, but as a voice. Walk not in the shadows of others, but in the light of your own truth. And in doing so, you too may become one of the great ones, remembered not for being another’s version, but for being, fully and gloriously, yourself.