Alexander Pope Quotes

To be continually subject to the breath of slander, will tarnish the purest virtue, as a constant exposure to the atmosphere will obscure the brightness of the finest gold; but in either case, the real value of both continues the same, although the currency may be somewhat impeded.

Yet my humble capacity has not preserved me from calumnies.

Envy wounds with false accusations, that is with detraction, a thing which scares virtue.

Slanderers do not hurt me because they do not hit me.

I know what they said even if they would not say it to my face. People love to talk. They love to slander you if you have any substance.

So fruitful is slander in variety of expedients to satiate as well as disguise itself. But if these smoother weapons cut so sore, what shall we say of open and unblushing scandal, subjected to no caution, tied down to no restraints?

Into the space of one little hour sins enough may be conjured up by evil tongues to blast the fame of a whole life of virtue.

A slander is like a hornet; if you cannot kill it dead at the first blow, better not to strike at it.

CALUMNUS, n. A graduate of the School for Scandal.

A lot of nasty and untrue things have been said about me.

Virtue itself scapes not calumnious strokes.

People have already dirtied my name too much.

Slander strongly and some will stick.

For enemies carry about slander not in the form in which it took its rise . The scandal of men is everlasting; even then does it survive when you would suppose it to be dead.

Character assassination is at once easier and surer than physical assault; and it involves far less risk for the assassin. It leaves him free to commit the same deed over and over again, and may, indeed, win him the honors of a hero in the country of his victims.

Calumny ever pursues the great, even as the winds hurl themselves on high places.

No one is safe from slander. The best way is to pay no attention to it, but live in innocence and let the world talk.

To speak evil of any one, unless there is unequivocal proofs of their deserving it, is an injury for which there is no adequate reparation.

An enemy is anyone who tells the truth about you.

Neglected, calumny soon expires, show that you are hurt, and you give it the appearance of truth.

Slander is a shipwrack by a dry Tempest.

Done to death by slanderous tongue

A man's reputation is not in his own keeping, but lies at the mercy of the profligacy of others. Calumny requires no proof.

Whatever defamation of character my enemies are spreading about me, I do not feel the need to justify myself toward them. While discretion obliges me to remain silent, my duty compels me to prevent them from doing any more harm.