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.

Glass, china, and reputation are easily cracked, and never mended well.

Glass, china, and reputation are easily cracked, and never mended well.

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.

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.]

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.

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

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

No book was ever written down by any but itself.

No book was ever written down by any but itself.

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.

Don't consider your reputation and you may do anything you like

Don't consider your reputation and you may do anything you like