Orson Welles Quotes

It's very difficult to change the perception people have of you.

I care about public perception, yes. I don't care about my enemies' perception.

In polling, truth is what people perceive.

I absolutely do care what people think about me.

It's up to people to judge whether I'm a good fella.

We are more solicitous that men speak of us, than how they speak.

People who trust me will not be swayed by what's been said about me, and for people who don't, no amount of good reports will persuade them.

Nothing is more unjust or capricious than public opinion.

In a crunch a man's reputation never counts for as much as it ought to.

People can say whatever they want to about me... and I don't get too affected. But I didn't want them to think I was a failure.

Do not so much be ashamed of that disgrace which proceeds from men's opinion as fly from that which comes from the truth.

Honest people will respect us for our merit: the public, for our luck.

If opinion hath lighted the lamp of thy name, endeavor to encourage it with thy own oil, lest it go out and stink; the chronical disease of Popularity is shame; if thou be once up, beware; from fame to infamy is a beaten road.

We acquire the love of people who, being in our proximity, are presumed to know us; and we receive reputation or celebrity, from such as are not personally acquainted with us. Merit secures to us the regard of our honest neighbors, and good fortune that of the public. Esteem is the harvest of a whole life spent in usefulness; but reputation is often bestowed upon a chance action, and depends most on success.

Be your character what it will, it will be known, and nobody will take it upon your word.

I have been called a great many things in my time – that's politics.

To attach no importance to public opinion, is a proof that you do not merit its suffrage.

If people want to think I get drunk and stay out all night, let'em. That's how I got here, you know.

It is better to be seen as cruel than foolish.

The prince must consider, as has been in part said before, how to avoid those things which will make him hated or contemptible; and as often as he shall have succeeded he will have fulfilled his part, and he need not fear any danger in other reproaches.

What you do in this world is a matter of no consequence. The question is, what can you make people believe that you have done?

Either a good or a bad reputation outruns and gets before people wherever they go.

'Tis better to be vile than vile esteemed, When not to be, receives reproach of being, And the just pleasure lost, which is so deemed, Not by our feeling, but by others' seeing.

How awful to reflect that what people say of us is true!

Perception is reality. If you are perceived to be something, you might as well be it because that's the truth in people's minds.