--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The two chief things that give a man…" description: "\"The two chief things that give a man reputation in counsel, are the opinion of his honesty, and the opinion of his wisdom; the authority of those two w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b42/ben-jonson-1371_authority_the-two-chief-things-that-give-a-man-rep_830056.png" --- # The two chief things that give a man reputation in… ![“The two chief things that give a man reputation in counsel, are the opinion of his honesty, and the opinion of his wisdom; the authority of those two will persuade.” quote by Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b42/ben-jonson-1371_authority_the-two-chief-things-that-give-a-man-rep_830056.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b42/ben-jonson-1371_authority_the-two-chief-things-that-give-a-man-rep_830056.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b42/ben-jonson-1371_authority_the-two-chief-things-that-give-a-man-rep_830056.png) > “The two chief things that give a man reputation in counsel, are the opinion of his honesty, and the opinion of his wisdom; the authority of those two will persuade.” [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reputation rests on perceived honesty and wisdom; these qualities persuade others more than any title. **In simple terms:** Honesty and wisdom shape reputation and influence. Key Takeaway Cultivate integrity and insight to earn trust. Themes reputation honesty wisdom influence Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - political negotiation - personal branding - ethical decision making Key Concepts social perception leadership Questions to Reflect On - How do you demonstrate honesty in daily actions? - What strategies build perceived wisdom? A Different Perspective Perception can be manipulated; reputation may not reflect true character. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Chiefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chiefs/) [Counsel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counsel/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Honesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Reputation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reputation/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [A fair woman shall not only command without authority but persuade without speaking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/a-fair-woman-shall-not-only-command-without-authority-but-persuade/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [In a crunch a man's reputation never counts for as much as it ought to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/in-a-crunch-a-man-s-reputation-never-counts-for-as-much-as-it-ought-to/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [A man's reputation is like a tower; hard to build, easy to collapse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/a-man-s-reputation-is-like-a-tower-hard-to-build-easy-to-collapse/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Every man's reputation proceeds from those of his own household.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/every-man-s-reputation-proceeds-from-those-of-his-own-household/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/a-man-s-reputation-is-not-in-his-own-keeping-but-lies-at-the-mercy-of/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [Nothing is so much coveted by a young man as the reputation of being a genius; and many seem to feel that the want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-todd/nothing-is-so-much-coveted-by-a-young-man-as-the-reputation-of-being/) [John Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-todd/) > [Take from a man his reputation for probity, and the more shrewd and clever he is, the more hated and mistrusted he becomes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/take-from-a-man-his-reputation-for-probity-and-the-more-shrewd-and/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [A man's reputation is the opinion people have of him; his character is what he really is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-miner/a-man-s-reputation-is-the-opinion-people-have-of-him-his-character-is/) Jack Miner > [The entire social order ... is arrayed against a woman who wants to rise to a man's reputation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madame-de-stael/the-entire-social-order-is-arrayed-against-a-woman-who-wants-to-rise/) [Madame de Stael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madame-de-stael/) > [Judge a man by the reputation of his enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arabian-proverb/judge-a-man-by-the-reputation-of-his-enemies/) Arabian Proverb > [A man's reputation draws eyes upon him that will narrowly inspect every part of him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/a-man-s-reputation-draws-eyes-upon-him-that-will-narrowly-inspect/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [If a man's reputation can be destroyed in an afternoon by a secret kangaroo court, then we, too, can one day be propelled into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hitchens/if-a-man-s-reputation-can-be-destroyed-in-an-afternoon-by-a-secret/) [Peter Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hitchens/) > [To be forgotten is to sleep in peace with the undisturbed myriads, no longer subject to the chills and heats, the blasts, the sleet,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/to-be-forgotten-is-to-sleep-in-peace-with-the-undisturbed-myriads-no/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [“There is a very great difference — is there not? — between the temporal and the eternal judgments, a very great difference between a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/price-collier/there-is-a-very-great-difference-is-there-not-between-the-temporal/) Price Collier > [If you fellows have been hunted from one end of the country to the other as I have been, you’ll understand what a bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doc-holliday/if-you-fellows-have-been-hunted-from-one-end-of-the-country-to-the/) [Doc Holliday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doc-holliday/) ## More by Ben Jonson > [Soul of the Age! The applause! delight! the wonder of our stage! My Shakespeare, rise; I will not lodge thee by Chaucer, or Spenser,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/soul-of-the-age-the-applause-delight-the-wonder-of-our-stage-my/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [Ambition, like a torrent, never looks back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/ambition-like-a-torrent-never-looks-back/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [Heaven prepares good men with crosses; but no ill can happen to a good man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/heaven-prepares-good-men-with-crosses-but-no-ill-can-happen-to-a-good/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [The dignity of truth is lost with much protesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/the-dignity-of-truth-is-lost-with-much-protesting/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [True melancholy breeds your perfect fine wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/true-melancholy-breeds-your-perfect-fine-wit/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [Leave a kiss but in the cup, and I'll not look for wine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/leave-a-kiss-but-in-the-cup-and-i-ll-not-look-for-wine/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [All discourses but my own afflict me; they seem harsh, impertinent, and irksome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/all-discourses-but-my-own-afflict-me-they-seem-harsh-impertinent-and/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [“drink to the cause, and pure vapours”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/drink-to-the-cause-and-pure-vapours/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [Spread yourself upon his bosom publicly, whose heart you would eat in private.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/spread-yourself-upon-his-bosom-publicly-whose-heart-you-would-eat-in/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [That old bald cheater, Time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/that-old-bald-cheater-time/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [Rich apparel has strange virtues; it makes him that hath it without means esteemed for an excellent wit; he that enjoys it with means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/rich-apparel-has-strange-virtues-it-makes-him-that-hath-it-without/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [Each petty hand Can steer a ship becalm'd; but he that will Govern and carry her to her ends, must know His tides, his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/each-petty-hand-can-steer-a-ship-becalm-d-but-he-that-will-govern-and/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [The way to rise is to obey and please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/the-way-to-rise-is-to-obey-and-please/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [The covetous man never has money. The prodigal will have none shortly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/the-covetous-man-never-has-money-the-prodigal-will-have-none-shortly/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [Fortune, that favors fools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/fortune-that-favors-fools/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) [Explore all 249 Ben Jonson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) ## More Authority quotes > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/) [Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/) > [I think people need to be comfortable questioning the authority of a doctor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susannah-cahalan/i-think-people-need-to-be-comfortable-questioning-the-authority-of-a/) [Susannah Cahalan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susannah-cahalan/) > [At a distance, we cannot conceive of the authority of a despot who knows all his subjects on sight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stendhal/at-a-distance-we-cannot-conceive-of-the-authority-of-a-despot-who/) [Stendhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stendhal/) > [Throughout human history, as our species has faced the frightening, terrorizing fact that we do not know who we are, or where we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/throughout-human-history-as-our-species-has-faced-the-frightening/) [Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/) > [“I'm of the age and immaturity level that I cannot give you my respect solely because you are older or ranked higher on an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-goros/i-m-of-the-age-and-immaturity-level-that-i-cannot-give-you-my-respect/) [Erica Goros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-goros/) > [In the end theologians are jealous of science, for they are aware that it has greater authority than do their own ways of finding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/in-the-end-theologians-are-jealous-of-science-for-they-are-aware-that/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/miracles-are-like-candles-lit-up-until-the-sun-rises-and-then-blown/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [The execution was set for the 29th of March, at nine in the morning. This delay was due to a desire on the part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/the-execution-was-set-for-the-29th-of-march-at-nine-in-the-morning/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/) [Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/) > [The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-millett/the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imposition-of-male-authority/) [Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-millett/) > [“We are at the mercy of whoever wields authority over the things we either desire or detest. If you would be free, then, do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-at-the-mercy-of-whoever-wields-authority-over-the-things-we/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Sometimes it's easier for people who are in authority to be authoritarian, because people know where you stand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meryl-streep/sometimes-it-s-easier-for-people-who-are-in-authority-to-be/) [Meryl Streep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meryl-streep/) > [The victory of Hamas is not only based on the corruption of the Palestinian Authority. Hamas has a vision and a program, and this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ismail-haniyeh/the-victory-of-hamas-is-not-only-based-on-the-corruption-of-the/) [Ismail Haniyeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ismail-haniyeh/) [Browse all 4,003 Authority quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The two chief things that give a man reputation in counsel, are the opinion of his honesty, and the opinion of his wisdom; the authority of those two will persuade.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ben Jonson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/the-two-chief-things-that-give-a-man-reputation-in-counsel-are-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Authority" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/the-two-chief-things-that-give-a-man-reputation-in-counsel-are-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b42/ben-jonson-1371_authority_the-two-chief-things-that-give-a-man-rep_830056.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b42/ben-jonson-1371_authority_the-two-chief-things-that-give-a-man-rep_830056.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b42/ben-jonson-1371_authority_the-two-chief-things-that-give-a-man-rep_830056.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The two chief things that give a man reputation in counsel, are the opinion of his honesty, and the opinion…” — Ben Jonson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ben Jonson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The two chief things that give...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/the-two-chief-things-that-give-a-man-reputation-in-counsel-are-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/the-two-chief-things-that-give-a-man-reputation-in-counsel-are-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```