--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The two most precious things this side of…" description: "\"The two most precious things this side of the grave are our reputation and our life. But it is to be lamented that the most contemptible whisper may de..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/429/charles-caleb-colton-270_life_the-two-most-precious-things-this-side-o_2636885.png" --- # The two most precious things this side of the grave are… ![“The two most precious things this side of the grave are our reputation and our life. But it is to be lamented that the most contemptible whisper may deprive us of the one, and the weakest weapon of the other.” quote by Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/429/charles-caleb-colton-270_life_the-two-most-precious-things-this-side-o_2636885.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/429/charles-caleb-colton-270_life_the-two-most-precious-things-this-side-o_2636885.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/429/charles-caleb-colton-270_life_the-two-most-precious-things-this-side-o_2636885.png) > “The two most precious things this side of the grave are our reputation and our life. But it is to be lamented that the most contemptible whisper may deprive us of the one, and the weakest weapon of the other.” [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reputation and life are precious, yet they can be destroyed by rumors and gossip, which are powerful yet fragile weapons. **In simple terms:** Rumors can ruin reputation and life. Key Takeaway Guard your reputation against gossip. Themes reputation life gossip Mood cautionary serious Type philosophical advisory When to use this quote - public speaking - online presence - personal branding Key Concepts ethics social influence Questions to Reflect On - How do you protect your reputation? - What can you do when faced with damaging rumors? A Different Perspective Gossip may also be a symptom of deeper issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contemptible Whisper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemptible-whisper-2235513/) [Grave Reputation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grave-reputation-2235514/) [Lamented](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lamented-1698581/) [Lamented Contemptible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lamented-contemptible-2235511/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Lamented](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-lamented-2235512/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Precious things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precious-things/) [Reputation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reputation/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) ## Related quotes > [The shortness of life, so often lamented, may be the best thing about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-schopenhauer/the-shortness-of-life-so-often-lamented-may-be-the-best-thing-about-it/) [Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhauer/) > [Courage is generosity of the highest order, for the brave are prodigal of the most precious things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/courage-is-generosity-of-the-highest-order-for-the-brave-are-prodigal/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [“Love doesn’t play fair,” Tony lamented. “Perhaps we do not understand the game,” Aiden responded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-tousey/love-doesn-t-play-fair-tony-lamented-perhaps-we-do-not-understand-the/) [Ben Tousey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-tousey/) > [Although I'd spent many years of dreaming of being applauded for my work and recognized... once it happened I didn't quite know how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asher-keddie/although-i-d-spent-many-years-of-dreaming-of-being-applauded-for-my/) [Asher Keddie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asher-keddie/) > [“It's like having a head full of holes, in which the perfect repository of words have shamed themselves," he lamented.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/it-s-like-having-a-head-full-of-holes-in-which-the-perfect-repository/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [“I lamented in every gathering; I associated with those in bad or happy circumstances. 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