A man's reputation is what other people think of him; his character is what he really is.

A man's reputation is what other people think of him; his character is what he really is.

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.]

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.

A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where read more

A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where the crack was.

My reputation grows with every failure.

My reputation grows with every failure.

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.

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.

And reputation bleeds in ev'ry word.

And reputation bleeds in ev'ry word.