He whose honor depends on the opinion of the mob must day by day strive with the greatest anxiety, act and scheme in order to retain his reputation. For the mob is varied and inconsistent, and therefore if a reputation is not carefully preserved it dies quickly.
- Topic: Character, Reputation
- Photo: Jeffrey Benjamin
More Quotes from Benedict Spinoza
None are more taken in by flattery than the proud, who wish to be the first and are not.
The things which . . . are esteemed as the greatest good of all . . . can be reduced to these three headings: to wit, Riches, Fame, and Pleasure. With these three the mind is so engrossed that it cannot scarcely think of any other good.
Nothing exists from whose nature some effect does not follow.
Desire is the essence of a man.
Man is a social animal.
The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free.
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I am a true laborer: I earn that I eat, get that I wear, owe no man hate, envy no man’s happiness, glad of other men’s good, content with my harm.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
Not a having and a resting, but a growing and a becoming is the character of perfection as culture conceives it.
Those disputing, contradicting, and confuting people are generally unfortunate in their affairs. They get victory, sometimes, but they never get good will, which would be of more use to them.
Surely what a man does when he is in an uncomfortable situation is the best evidence for the sort of man he is.
It wasn't until late in life that I discovered how easy it is to say "I don't know."
Character develops itself in the stream of life.
I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.
The charges we bring against others often come home to ourselves; we inveigh against our faults which are as much ours as theirs; and so our eloquence ends by tellings against ourselves.
No man will ever bring out the Presidency the reputation which carries him into it.
You shall judge of a man by his foes as well as by his friends.
These are the arks, the trophies, I erect, That fortify thy name against old age.
