Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without
merit and lost without deserving.

Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without
merit and lost without deserving.

No book was ever written down by any but itself.

No book was ever written down by any but itself.

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.

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.

That man is thought a dangerous knave,
Or zealot plotting crime,
Who for advancement of his kind
read more

That man is thought a dangerous knave,
Or zealot plotting crime,
Who for advancement of his kind
Is wiser than his time.

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.

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.

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

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

I see my reputation is at stake;
My fame is shrewdly gored.

I see my reputation is at stake;
My fame is shrewdly gored.