When the man is at home, his standing in society is well known and quietly taken; but when he is abroad, it is problematical, and is dependent on the success of his manners.

Reputation is commonly measured by the acre.

Be it true or false, what is said about men often has as much influence upon their lives, and especially upon their destinies, as what they do.

Those who are well assured of their own standing are least apt to trepass on that of others.

The Englishman wants to be recognized as a gentleman, or as some other suitable species of human being; the American wants to be considered a good guy.

When we are dead we are praised by those who survive us, though we frequently have no other merit than that of being no longer alive.

Some men seem remarkable to the world in whom neither their wives nor their valets saw anything extraordinary. Few men have been admired by their servants.

But what do I care whether or not I receive attention during my lifetime, if I am not certain that the world will remember me until its last darkest winter, marveling like Ronsard's old woman?

A great reputation is a great noise, the more there is of it, the further does it swell. Land, monuments, nations, all fall, but the noise remains, and will reach to other generations.

Who has not, for the sake of his good reputation-sacrificed himself once?