You are a vain fellow. You want to be a hero. That is why you do such silly things. A hero!... I don't quite know what that is: but, you see, I imagine that a hero is a man who does what he can. The others do not do it.

Gottfried to Jean-Christophe in "Youth" (1904) Part 3 : Ada - Jean-Christophe (1904 - 1912)