And reputation bleeds in ev'ry word.

And reputation bleeds in ev'ry word.

Kindly words do not enter so deeply into men as a reputation for kindness.

Kindly words do not enter so deeply into men as a reputation for kindness.

No book was ever written down by any but itself.

No book was ever written down by any but itself.

I consider him of no account who esteems himself just as the
popular breath may chance to raise him.
read more

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.]

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

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

Reputation is but a synonyme of popularity: dependent on
suffrage, to be increased or diminished at the will of read more

Reputation is but a synonyme of popularity: dependent on
suffrage, to be increased or diminished at the will of the
voters.

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.

For a strolling damsel a doubtful reputation bears.
[Ger., Denn ein wanderndes Madchen ist immer von schwankendem
Rufe.]

For a strolling damsel a doubtful reputation bears.
[Ger., Denn ein wanderndes Madchen ist immer von schwankendem
Rufe.]

Thy deathbed is no lesser than thy land,
Wherein thou liest in reputation sick;
And thou, too read more

Thy deathbed is no lesser than thy land,
Wherein thou liest in reputation sick;
And thou, too careless patient as thou art,
Committ'st thy anointed body to the cure
Of those physicians that first wounded thee.