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.

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.]

Reputation is rarely proportioned to virtue.

Reputation is rarely proportioned to virtue.

I wrote the story myself. It's all about a girl who lost her reputation but never missed it.

I wrote the story myself. It's all about a girl who lost her reputation but never missed it.

It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it

It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it

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.

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.

Should envious tongues some malice frame; to soil and tarnish your good name; Live it Down!

Should envious tongues some malice frame; to soil and tarnish your good name; Live it Down!

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.