Charles Maurice de Talleyrand Quotes

The reputation of a man is like his shadow, gigantic when it precedes him, and pigmy in its proportions when it follows.

It's better to not have a reputation than a bad one.

Reputation is only a candle, of wavering and uncertain flame, and easily blown out, but it is the light by which the world looks for and finds merit.

Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving.

How many worthy men have we seen survive their own reputation?

The way you carry your name is the vibe people get off it.

It is better to be respected than it is to be popular. Popularity ends on yearbook day, but respect lasts forever.

The invisible thing called a Good Name is made up of the breath of numbers that speak well of you.

Reputation runs behind the current state of affairs.

A good reputation is more valuable than money.

Until you have lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is.

Reputations rise and fall almost as regularly as the tides.

What people say behind your back is your standing in the community.

It is generally much more shameful to lose a good reputation than never to have acquired it.

One can survive everything, nowadays, except death, and live down everything except a good reputation.

It’s not what you are that counts; it’s what people think you are.

He whose honor is rooted in popular approval must, day by day, anxiously strive, act, and scheme in order to retain his reputation.

I think people look at me different when they see I'm dressed well. They pay attention. They know I'm about something.

I wasn't aware I was trading on my good name; I've never had a good name.

I had to look powerful in 'Paruthi Veeran.'

Whatever I do, if people see me in a certain light, then they will always judge me in that light. Their impressions and perceptions will never change.

Character is like a tree, and reputation is like its shadow.

Who dispenses reputation? Who makes us respect and revere persons, works, laws, the great? Who but this faculty of imagination? All the riches of the earth are inadequate without its approval.

I did not have a reputation to defend.

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.