The purest treasure mortal times afford is spotless reputation; that away, men are but gilded loam or painted clay.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Kindly words do not enter so deeply into men as a reputation for kindness.
—Mencius (c.371–c.289 BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Glass, china, and reputation are easily cracked, but never well mended.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
When a man has once forfeited the reputation of his integrity, he is set fast; nothing will then serve his turn, neither truth nor falsehood.
—John Tillotson
Repetition makes reputation and reputation makes customers.
—Elizabeth Bowen (1899–1973) Irish Novelist, Short-story Writer
The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour.
—Japanese Proverb
Reputation is but the synonym of popularity; dependent on suffrage, to be increased or diminished at the will of the voters.
—Washington Allston (1779–1843) American Landscape Painter
Build your reputation by helping other people build theirs.
—Anthony J. D’Angelo
A good reputation is more valuable than money.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
What people say behind your back is your standing in the community.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
Until you’ve lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is.
—Margaret Mitchell (1900–49) American Novelist, Journalist
It ain’t often that a man’s reputation outlasts his money.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
The two most precious things this side of the grave are our reputation and our life. But it is to be lamented that the most contemptible whisper may deprive us of the one, and the weakest weapon of the other.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Whatever ignominy or disgrace we have incurred, it is almost always in our power to reestablish our reputation.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
The blaze of reputation cannot be blown out, but it often dies in the socket; a very few names may be considered as perpetual lamps that shine unconsumed.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Judge a man by the reputation of his enemies.
—Arabic Proverb
Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for ’tis better to be alone than in bad company.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
A reputation for good judgment, fair dealing, truth, and rectitude, is itself a fortune.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Reputations, like beavers and cloaks, shall last some people twice the time of others.
—Douglas William Jerrold (1803–57) English Writer, Dramatist, Wit
Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit and lost without deserving.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Cautious, careful people always casting about to preserve their reputation or social standards never can bring about reform. Those who are really in earnest are willing to be anything or nothing in the world’s estimation, and publicly and privately, in season and out, avow their sympathies with despised ideas and their advocates, and bear the consequences.
—Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906) American Civil Rights Leader
If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself.
—Dwight L. Moody (1837–99) Christian Religious Leader, Publisher
Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation.
—Henry Kissinger (1923–2023) American Statesman, Diplomat, Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Few people think more than two or three times a year. I’ve made an international reputation for myself by thinking once or twice a week.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
When a door opens not to your knock, consider your reputation.
—Arabic Proverb
We would all like a reputation for generosity and we’d all like to buy it cheap.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
There are two modes of establishing our reputation—to be praised by honest men, and to be abused by rogues. It is best, however, to secure the former, because it will invariably be accompanied by the latter.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
A fair reputation is a plant delicate in its nature, and by no means rapid in its growth.—It will not shoot up in a night, like the gourd of the prophet, but like that gourd, it may perish in a night.
—Jeremy Taylor
It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.
—Warren Buffett (b.1930) American Investor
Good will, like a good name, is got by many actions, and lost by one.
—Francis Jeffrey, Lord Jeffrey (1773–1850) Scottish Judge, Literary Critic
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