During his lifetime, Alfred Nobel (1833–1896) did more to enhance conflict than to hinder it. He was known for inventing dynamite and other more powerful explosives, creations that were "useful to the art of making war."
In 1888, Alfred Nobel’s brother Ludvig died. A French newspaper erroneously published Alfred's obituary, thinking it was he who died instead of his brother. The false obituary condemned him for his invention of dynamite. The obituary stated, “Le marchand de la mort est mort” ("The merchant of death is dead") and went on to say, "Dr. Alfred Nobel, who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday." At that moment, Nobel realized two things: that this was how he was going to be remembered, and that this was not how he wanted to be remembered. So after reading how others viewed his life, he made a conscious decision to leave a better legacy after his death.
On November 27, 1895, at the Swedish-Norwegian Club in Paris, Nobel signed his last will and testament and set aside the bulk of his estate to establish the Nobel Prizes, to be awarded annually without distinction of nationality. The five original prizes are awarded for eminence and advancement in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace (later another prize for Economics was created). The Nobel Prize is widely regarded as the most prestigious award available in those fields.
Now Alfred Nobel is known more for peace than he is for war. In other words, he MADE his legacy and CHANGED how others viewed him. Regardless of past actions it is possible to create a better legacy for yourself; to become an example for others…to change the world.
What do you want your legacy to be? In other words, how do you wish to be remembered?