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.

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.

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!

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.]

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.]

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 takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll read more

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.

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.

O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of
myself, and what remains is bestial. read more

O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of
myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my
reputation!