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.

Good will, like a good name, is got by many actions, and lost by one.

Good will, like a good name, is got by many actions, and lost by one.

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

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

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

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

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.]

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.

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.

Reputations, like beavers and cloaks, shall last some people
twice the time of others.

Reputations, like beavers and cloaks, shall last some people
twice the time of others.

It is easier for a woman to defend her virtue against men than her reputation against women.

It is easier for a woman to defend her virtue against men than her reputation against women.