The world rewards the appearance of merit oftener than merit
itself.
[Fr., Le monde recompense plus souvent les read more

The world rewards the appearance of merit oftener than merit
itself.
[Fr., Le monde recompense plus souvent les apparences de merite
que le merite meme.]

Don't consider your reputation and you may do anything you like

Don't consider your reputation and you may do anything you like

The favor of princes does not preclude the existence of merit,
and yet does not prove that it exists.
read more

The favor of princes does not preclude the existence of merit,
and yet does not prove that it exists.
[Fr., La faveur des princes n'exclut pas le merite, et ne le
suppose pas aussi.]

Until you've lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is.

Until you've lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is.

The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.

The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.

Let no one honour me with tears, or bury me with lamentation.
Why? Because I fly hither and thither, read more

Let no one honour me with tears, or bury me with lamentation.
Why? Because I fly hither and thither, living in the mouths of
me.
[Lat., Nemo me lacrymis decoret, nec funera fletu.
Faxit cur? Volito vivu' per ora virum.]

It is easier for a woman to defend her virtue against men than her reputation against women.

It is easier for a woman to defend her virtue against men than her reputation against women.

Glass, china, and reputation are easily cracked, and never mended well.

Glass, china, and reputation are easily cracked, and never mended well.

And reputation bleeds in ev'ry word.

And reputation bleeds in ev'ry word.