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.]

And reputation bleeds in ev'ry word.

And reputation bleeds in ev'ry word.

Reputation is rarely proportioned to virtue.

Reputation is rarely proportioned to virtue.

I have offended reputation,
A most unnoble swerving.

I have offended reputation,
A most unnoble swerving.

It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it

It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it

Convey a libel in a frown.
And wink a reputation down!

Convey a libel in a frown.
And wink a reputation down!

In various talk th' instructive hours they past,
Who gave the ball, or paid the visit last;
read more

In various talk th' instructive hours they past,
Who gave the ball, or paid the visit last;
One speaks the glory of the British queen,
And one describes a charming Indian screen;
A third interprets motions, looks, and eyes;
At every word a reputation dies.

Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than read more

Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.

A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where read more

A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where the crack was.