A man's reputation is not in his own keeping, but lies at…
![“A man's reputation is not in his own keeping, but lies at the mercy of the profligacy of others. Calumny requires no proof. The throwing out [of] malicious imputations against any character leaves a stain, which no after-refutation can wipe out. To create an unfavorable impression, it is not…” quote by William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/fb1/william-hazlitt-326_being-true_a-man-s-reputation-is-not-in-his-own-kee_1982026.jpg)
“A man's reputation is not in his own keeping, but lies at the mercy of the profligacy of others. Calumny requires no proof. The throwing out [of] malicious imputations against any character leaves a stain, which no after-refutation can wipe out. To create an unfavorable impression, it is not necessary that certain things should be true, but that they have been said. The imagination is of so delicate a texture that even words wound it.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Reputation is fragile, shaped by others' rumors; false accusations leave lasting damage even after being disproved.
In simple terms: People’s opinions can ruin a reputation even if false.
Key Takeaway
Guard your words and challenge rumors quickly.
Themes
reputation
rumors
truth
damage
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
advisory
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public life
- online media
- courtroom
- politics
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
social perception
defamation
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you protect your reputation from unfounded gossip?
- Can truth ever fully erase a rumor?
A Different Perspective
Even after refutation, false claims often persist in public memory.