A lost good name is ne'er retriev'd.

A lost good name is ne'er retriev'd.

If you can't get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you'd best
teach it to dance.

If you can't get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you'd best
teach it to dance.

Many a man's reputation would not know his character if they met
on the street.

Many a man's reputation would not know his character if they met
on the street.

Should envious tongues some malice frame; to soil and tarnish your good name; Live it Down!

Should envious tongues some malice frame; to soil and tarnish your good name; Live it Down!

I wrote the story myself. It's all about a girl who lost her reputation but never missed it.

I wrote the story myself. It's all about a girl who lost her reputation but never missed it.

I consider him of no account who esteems himself just as the
popular breath may chance to raise him.
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I consider him of no account who esteems himself just as the
popular breath may chance to raise him.
[Ger., Ich halte nichts von dem, der von sich denkt
Wie ihn das Volk vielleicht erheben mochte.]

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll read more

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.

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

My dear dear lord,
The purest treasure mortal times afford
Is spotless reputation. That away,
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My dear dear lord,
The purest treasure mortal times afford
Is spotless reputation. That away,
Man are but gilded loam or painted clay.