There are two modes of establishing our reputation: to be praised by honest men, and to be abused by rogues¹. It is best, however, to secure the former, because it will invariably be accompanied by the latter.

Charles Caleb Colton (1780 - 1832)

You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.

Henry Ford² (1863 - 1947)

Propriety³ was a rigid⁴ master, but one that must be obeyed if one wanted to keep a sterling⁵ reputation.

Lawana Blackwell, The Courtship of the Vicar's Daughter, 1998

A good name, like good will, is got by many actions and lost by one.

Lord Jeffery

Until you've lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was.

Margaret Mitchell (1900 - 1949)

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

Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)

A good reputation is more valuable than money.

Publilius Syrus (~100 BC), Maxims⁶

If I’ve learned one thing in the 14 years I’ve been a full-time⁷ cartoonist, it’s that you can not let anyone else define your professionalism. It has to be a personal ethos to which you adhere despite third party influence or acceptance. The old measuring sticks for professionalism are going away and now more than ever it’s time for independent creatives to set the bar. Set it high.

Scott R. Kurtz, PvPonline, 11-28-2011

Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly be possessed⁸ of - for credit is like fire; when once you have kindled⁹ it you may easily preserve it, but if you once extinguish it, you will find it an arduous¹⁰ task to rekindle¹¹ it again. The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.

Socrates (469 BC - 399 BC)

Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,

Is the immediate¹² jewel of their souls:

Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;

'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands;

But he that filches¹³ from me my good name

Robs me of that which not enriches him

And makes me poor indeed.

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), Othello, Act III, sc. 3

Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,

Is the immediate jewel of their souls:

Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;

'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands;

But he that filches from me my good name

Robs me of that which not enriches him

And makes me poor indeed.

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), "Othello", Act 3 scene 3

Oh, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal¹⁴ part of myself, and what remains¹⁵ is bestial¹⁶.

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), Othello, Act II, sc. 3

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

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), Othello, Act II, sc. 3

The purest treasure mortal times afford is spotless reputation; that away, men are but gilded¹⁷ loam¹⁸ or painted clay.

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), Richard II, Act I, sc. I