Reputation quotes
437 quotes on this topic — from poets, philosophers, and thinkers across history.
"Too often character assassination has replaced debate in principle here in Washington. Destroy someone's reputation, and you don't have to talk about what he stands for."
"Take from a man his reputation for probity, and the more shrewd and clever he is, the more hated and mistrusted he becomes."
"He is too illiterate, unread, unlearned for his station and reputation."
"The solar system has no anxiety about its reputation."
"If you lose money for the firm, I will be forgiving. If you lose reputation, I will be ruthless."
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Browse quotes that often appear alongside reputation — connected by shared ideas and recurring themes.
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"I have been known as a crank, faddist, madman. Evidently the reputation is well deserved. For wherever I go, I draw to myself cranks, faddists, and madmen."
"You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do. It's simple, fantasize, rehearse, then go out into the world and DO IT!"
"I consider a good reputation is a great part of the human happiness. Some people, if they are very, very rich can permit themselves certain negligence to their reputations."
"The person who prays more in public than in private reveals that he is less interested in God's approval than in human praise. Not piety but a reputation for piety is his concern."
"Your reputation is harmed the most by what you say to defend it."
"Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident; the only earthly certainty is oblivion."
"It is generally much more shameful to lose a good reputation than never to have acquired it."
"I would rather go to any extreme than suffer anything that is unworthy of my reputation, or of that of my crown."
"Aren't you ashamed to be concerned so much about making all the money you can and advancing your reputation and prestige, while for truth and wisdom and the improvement of your souls you have no thought or car?"
"Few look for truth; many prowl about for a reputation of profundity by arrogantly challenging whichever arguments are the best."
"Character builds slowly, but it can be torn down with incredible swiftness."
"Whatever ignominy or disgrace we have incurred, it is almost always in our power to reestablish our reputation."
"As a general rule, a reputation is built on manner as much as on achievement."
"Reputation is like fine china: Once broken it's very hard to repair."
"You earn your reputation by the things you do every day."
"Nothing is as fast as the speed of trust. Nothing is as fulfilling as a relationship of trust. Nothing is as inspiring as an offering of trust. Nothing is as profitable as the economics of trust. Nothing has more influence than a reputation of trust."
"All is ephemeral - fame and the famous as well."
"Each of us must be committed to maintaining the reputation of all of us. And all of us must be committed to maintaining the reputation of each of us."
"Remember that reputation and integrity are your most valuable assets - and can be lost in a heartbeat."
"For a strolling damsel a doubtful reputation bears."
