--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is generally much more shameful to…" description: "\"It is generally much more shameful to lose a good reputation than never to have acquired it.\" — Pliny the Elder" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/364/pliny-the-elder-2838_reputation_it-is-generally-much-more-shameful-to-lo_3077542.png" --- # It is generally much more shameful to lose a good… ![“It is generally much more shameful to lose a good reputation than never to have acquired it.” quote by Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/364/pliny-the-elder-2838_reputation_it-is-generally-much-more-shameful-to-lo_3077542.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/364/pliny-the-elder-2838_reputation_it-is-generally-much-more-shameful-to-lo_3077542.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/364/pliny-the-elder-2838_reputation_it-is-generally-much-more-shameful-to-lo_3077542.png) > “It is generally much more shameful to lose a good reputation than never to have acquired it.” [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Preserving a good reputation is more critical than acquiring one that is easily lost. **In simple terms:** Reputation matters more than fleeting fame. Key Takeaway Guard your reputation carefully. Themes honor reputation social standing Mood reflective cautious Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - politics - business - personal relationships - public life Key Concepts ethics legacy public perception Questions to Reflect On - What steps do you take to protect your name? - How do you recover from a damaged reputation? A Different Perspective Reputation can be fragile and hard to rebuild. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Generally Shameful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generally-shameful-5234270/) [Lose Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lose-good-439882/) [Reputation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reputation/) [Reputation Acquired](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reputation-acquired-5066800/) [Shameful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shameful/) [Shameful Lose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shameful-lose-5234271/) ## Related quotes > [It is not so easy to obtain a reputation by a perfect work as to enhance the value of an indifferent one by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/it-is-not-so-easy-to-obtain-a-reputation-by-a-perfect-work-as-to/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [Don't be afraid of change. You may lose something good, but you'll gain something EVEN BETTER.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pryncez-nika/don-t-be-afraid-of-change-you-may-lose-something-good-but-you-ll-gain/) [Pryncez\_Nika](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pryncez-nika/) > [All you have in life is your reputation: you may be very rich, but if you lose your good name, then you'll never be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/all-you-have-in-life-is-your-reputation-you-may-be-very-rich-but-if/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Never be afraid of change. You may lose something good, but you may gain something even better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-be-afraid-of-change-you-may-lose-something-good-but-you-may/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What do we lose by another's good fortune? Let us celebrate with them, or strive to emulate them. That should be our desire and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sathya-sai-baba/what-do-we-lose-by-another-s-good-fortune-let-us-celebrate-with-them/) [Sathya Sai Baba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sathya-sai-baba/) > [Don't be afraid of letting go. You may lose something good, but you might gain something even better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-be-afraid-of-letting-go-you-may-lose-something-good-but-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Men always lose out on a good woman, 'cause they're used to dealing with sluts & don't know how to treat a real lady.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/addy/men-always-lose-out-on-a-good-woman-cause-they-re-used-to-dealing/) [Addy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/addy/) > [People come, then go. A song plays, then ends. You take a bath, then you get dirty again. You eat, then you get hungry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-come-then-go-a-song-plays-then-ends-you-take-a-bath-then-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Dont be afraid to change. You may lose something good, but you may gain something better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orebela-gbenga/dont-be-afraid-to-change-you-may-lose-something-good-but-you-may-gain/) [Orebela Gbenga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orebela-gbenga/) > [Don't be afraid to change. You may lose something good but you will surely get something better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-be-afraid-to-change-you-may-lose-something-good-but-you-will/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Don't be afraid of change. You may lose something good, but you will gain something better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-camilleri/don-t-be-afraid-of-change-you-may-lose-something-good-but-you-will/) [Josef Camilleri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-camilleri/) > [I would rather lose a good earring than be caught without make-up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-turner/i-would-rather-lose-a-good-earring-than-be-caught-without-make-up/) [Lana Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-turner/) > [I've finally realized that sometimes you lose good things in life, to make room for great ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-finally-realized-that-sometimes-you-lose-good-things-in-life-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I hate a song that makes you think that you are not any good. I hate a song that makes you think that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-guthrie/i-hate-a-song-that-makes-you-think-that-you-are-not-any-good-i-hate-a/) [Woody Guthrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-guthrie/) > [Don't be afraid of change. you may lose something good, but you may gain something even better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-be-afraid-of-change-you-may-lose-something-good-but-you-may/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Pliny the Elder > [Simple diet is best: for many dishes bring many diseases, and rich sauces are worse than even heaping several meats upon each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/simple-diet-is-best-for-many-dishes-bring-many-diseases-and-rich/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [Amid the sufferings of life on earth, suicide is God's best gift to man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/amid-the-sufferings-of-life-on-earth-suicide-is-god-s-best-gift-to-man/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [The happier the moment the shorter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/the-happier-the-moment-the-shorter/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [Indeed, what is there that does not appear marvelous when it comes to our knowledge for the first time? How many things, too, are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/indeed-what-is-there-that-does-not-appear-marvelous-when-it-comes-to/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [Accustom yourself to master and overcome things of difficulty; for if you observe, the left hand for want of practice is insignificant, and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/accustom-yourself-to-master-and-overcome-things-of-difficulty-for-if/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [As land is improved by sowing it with various seeds, so is the mind by exercising it with different studies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/as-land-is-improved-by-sowing-it-with-various-seeds-so-is-the-mind-by/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [True happiness consists in being considered deserving of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/true-happiness-consists-in-being-considered-deserving-of-it/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [The largest land animal is the elephant, and it is the nearest to man in intelligence: it understands the language of its country and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/the-largest-land-animal-is-the-elephant-and-it-is-the-nearest-to-man/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [Many dishes bring many diseases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/many-dishes-bring-many-diseases/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [In the literary as well as military world, most powerful abilities will often be found concealed under a rustic garb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/in-the-literary-as-well-as-military-world-most-powerful-abilities/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [Man naturally yearns for novelty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/man-naturally-yearns-for-novelty/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [With man, most of his misfortunes are occasioned by man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/with-man-most-of-his-misfortunes-are-occasioned-by-man/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [Better do nothing than do ill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/better-do-nothing-than-do-ill/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [It is this earth that, like a kind mother, receives us at our birth, and sustains us when born; it is this alone, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/it-is-this-earth-that-like-a-kind-mother-receives-us-at-our-birth-and/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [His only fault is that he has no fault.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/his-only-fault-is-that-he-has-no-fault/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) [Explore all 147 Pliny the Elder quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) ## More Reputation quotes > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Louisiana's spicy, colorful politics have saddled our state with a reputation for tolerating lax ethical standards in government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/louisiana-s-spicy-colorful-politics-have-saddled-our-state-with-a/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [she got a reputation for an easy smile and a sharp tongue, and using one to balance the other, she seemed friendly but distant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-allison/she-got-a-reputation-for-an-easy-smile-and-a-sharp-tongue-and-using/) [Dorothy Allison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-allison/) > [“But I’ve developed a great reputation for wisdom by ordering more books than I ever had time to read, and reading more books, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/but-i-ve-developed-a-great-reputation-for-wisdom-by-ordering-more/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [I got the reputation of being hard to work with. It has been hard for me to get rid of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorrie-morgan/i-got-the-reputation-of-being-hard-to-work-with-it-has-been-hard-for/) [Lorrie Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorrie-morgan/) > [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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-miner/) > [Joel Lane documents a life we don’t quite live, in a city we can’t quite find: half glimpsed and half imagined, we know it’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chaz-brenchley/joel-lane-documents-a-life-we-don-t-quite-live-in-a-city-we-can-t/) [Chaz Brenchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chaz-brenchley/) > [Until you lose your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/until-you-lose-your-reputation-you-never-realize-what-a-burden-it-was/) [Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/) > [I took anything that came across my doorstep. I started getting a reputation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-stewart/i-took-anything-that-came-across-my-doorstep-i-started-getting-a/) [Lynne Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-stewart/) > [I think success is a relative term. If you're a caveman, success is capturing an elephant. Success is achieving better than the norm. Success…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-taffer/i-think-success-is-a-relative-term-if-you-re-a-caveman-success-is/) [Jon Taffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-taffer/) > [One man lies in his words, and gets a bad reputation; another in his manners, and enjoys a good one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/one-man-lies-in-his-words-and-gets-a-bad-reputation-another-in-his/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [It takes little or nothing to undo reputations, the merest trifle makes and remakes them, it is simply a question of finding the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-saramago/it-takes-little-or-nothing-to-undo-reputations-the-merest-trifle/) [Jose Saramago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-saramago/) > [A great reputation is a great noise, the more there is of it, and the further does it swell. Land, monuments, Nations, all fall,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/a-great-reputation-is-a-great-noise-the-more-there-is-of-it-and-the/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [I'm less concerned about whether being a good corporate citizen burnishes a company's reputation. That's just an added benefit. I believe it's a responsibility,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-burns/i-m-less-concerned-about-whether-being-a-good-corporate-citizen/) [Ursula Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-burns/) > [I was spoiled and I was arrogant. I was very demanding, had an overblown image of who I was and got a reputation for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judge-reinhold/i-was-spoiled-and-i-was-arrogant-i-was-very-demanding-had-an/) [Judge Reinhold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judge-reinhold/) [Browse all 2,131 Reputation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reputation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is generally much more shameful to lose a good reputation than never to have acquired it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Pliny the Elder" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/it-is-generally-much-more-shameful-to-lose-a-good-reputation-than/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Reputation" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/it-is-generally-much-more-shameful-to-lose-a-good-reputation-than/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/364/pliny-the-elder-2838_reputation_it-is-generally-much-more-shameful-to-lo_3077542.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/364/pliny-the-elder-2838_reputation_it-is-generally-much-more-shameful-to-lo_3077542.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/364/pliny-the-elder-2838_reputation_it-is-generally-much-more-shameful-to-lo_3077542.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is generally much more shameful to lose a good reputation than never to have acquired it.” — Pliny the Elder", "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": "Pliny the Elder", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is generally much more shameful...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/it-is-generally-much-more-shameful-to-lose-a-good-reputation-than/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/it-is-generally-much-more-shameful-to-lose-a-good-reputation-than/#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 } } ] } ```