Reputation is rarely proportioned to virtue.

Reputation is rarely proportioned to virtue.

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.

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.

My reputation grows with every failure.

My reputation grows with every failure.

I have offended reputation,
A most unnoble swerving.

I have offended reputation,
A most unnoble swerving.

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.

The reputation of a man is like his shadow, gigantic when it precedes him, and pigmy in its proportions when read more

The reputation of a man is like his shadow, gigantic when it precedes him, and pigmy in its proportions when it follows.

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

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

The worst of me is known, and I can say that I am better than the
reputation I bear.
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The worst of me is known, and I can say that I am better than the
reputation I bear.
[Ger., Das Aergste weiss die Welt von mir, und ich
Kann sagen, ich bin besser als mein Ruf.]