It has become quite a common proverb that in wine there is truth (In Vino Veritas).
Pliny The ElderRead
It is generally much more shameful to lose a good reputation than never to have acquired it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A good reputation is valuable, and losing one is more regrettable than never gaining one.
This quote emphasizes the significance of maintaining a good reputation, suggesting that the shame associated with losing a good name outweighs the regret of never having achieved one. It implies that reputation is a vital asset that, once tarnished, can lead to significant personal and professional losses.
Themes
ReputationShameLossValueCharacter
In practice
Example use cases
During a leadership seminar, you might use this quote to stress the importance of integrity.
More from Pliny The Elder
All quotes βSuch is the audacity of man, that he hath learned to counterfeit Nature, yea, and is so bold as to challenge her in her work.
Pliny The ElderRead
The depth of darkness to which you can descend and still live is an exact measure of the height to which you can aspire to reach.
Pliny The ElderRead
Of all wonders, this is among the greatest, that some fresh waters close by the sea spring forth as out of pipes: for the nature of the waters also ceaseth not from miraculous properties.
Pliny The ElderRead
How innocent, how happy, how truly delightful, even, would life be if we were to desire nothing but what is to be found upon the face of the earth: in a word, nothing but what is provided ready to our hands!
Pliny The ElderRead
Man has learned how to challenge both Nature and art to become the incitements to vice! His very cups he has delighted to engrave with libidinous subjects, and he takes pleasure in drinking from vessels of obscene form!
Pliny The ElderRead
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No man can climb out beyond the limitations of his own character.
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