We must bear in mind the distinction between fame and honor. A virtuous person is an honorable person, a person who ought to be ho...nored by the community in which he or she lives. But the virtuous person does not seek honor, being secure in his or her own self-respect. Lack of honor does not in any way detract from the efficacy of moral virtue as an indispensable operative means in the pursuit of happiness.... Those totally lacking in virtue may achieve fame as readily as, perhaps even more easily than those who are virtuous. Fame belongs to the great, the outstanding, the exceptional, without regard to virtue or vice. Infamy is fame no less than good repute. The great scoundrel can be as famous as the great hero; there can be famous villains as well as famous saints. Existing in the reputation a person has regardless of his or her accomplishments, fame does not tarnish as honor does when it is unmerited.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Sentimentalists ... adopt whatever merit is in good repute, and almost make it hateful with their praise. The warmer their express...ions, the colder we feel.... Cure the drunkard, heal the insane, mollify the homicide, civilize the Pawnee, but what lessons can be devised for the debauchee of sentiment?LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
In this nadir of poetic repute, when the only verse that most people read from one year's end to the next is what appears on greet...ings cards, it is well for us to stop and consider our poets.... Poets are the leaven in the lump of civilization.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Brutus had rather be a villager Than to repute himself a son of Rome... Under these hard conditions as this time Is like to lay upon us.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
The basis on which good repute in any highly organized industrial community ultimately rests is pecuniary strength; and the means ...of showing pecuniary strength, and so of gaining or retaining a good name, are leisure and a conspicuous consumption of goods.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Never support two weaknesses at the same time. It's your combination sinners--your lecherous liars and your miserly drunkards--who... dishonor the vices and bring them into bad repute.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
If you would be a leader of men you must lead your own generation, not the next. Your playing must be good now, while the play is ...on the boards and the audience in the seats.... It will not get you the repute of a good actor to have excellencies discovered in you afterwards.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »