It is a maxim to me that no man was ever written out of
reputation but by himself.

It is a maxim to me that no man was ever written out of
reputation but by himself.

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.

And reputation bleeds in ev'ry word.

And reputation bleeds in ev'ry word.

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

Better to die than to live on with a bad reputation.

Better to die than to live on with a bad reputation.

To be pointed out with the finger.

To be pointed out with the finger.

I have offended reputation,
A most unnoble swerving.

I have offended reputation,
A most unnoble swerving.

One can survive everything nowadays, except death, and live down anything, except a good reputation.

One can survive everything nowadays, except death, and live down anything, except a good reputation.

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

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