"You scientists, you all claim to be indifferent to fame and fortune, but in reality, you care more about your reputation than anyone else!"
If Jerome Bonaparte were reprimanding an "academic gatekeeper," the "academic gatekeeper" would not feel any shame and would even cheerfully agree that His Majesty was right.
However, William Thomson was still a newcomer in the realm of scientific research, having only been in the field for about 14 years.
Therefore, there remained a stubbornness and a sense of shame typical of a young man of science within him.
Seeing Jerome Bonaparte bluntly expose his innermost thoughts, William Thomson could only bow his head in embarrassment and apologize to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Your Majesty, thank you for your recognition, and I also ask for your forgiveness for my selfishness!" William Thomson paused, then earnestly said to Jerome Bonaparte, "I still wish to become a foreign academician of the French Academy through my own efforts!
