Pride is founded not on the sense of happiness, but on the sense of power.
William HazlittRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A person's reputation is vulnerable to the opinions and actions of others, regardless of the truth.
William Hazlitt's quote emphasizes the fragility of reputation, indicating that it can easily be harmed by baseless accusations and rumors. He argues that the mere act of speaking ill of someone can tarnish their image, often beyond repair, regardless of the truthfulness of the statements. This highlights the power of words and how they can shape perceptions, even if they are unfounded or false.
Themes
ReputationWordsCalumnyPerceptionTruth
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a talk about the impact of social media on reputation.
More from William Hazlitt
All quotes →The world loves to be amused by hollow professions, to be deceived by flattering appearances, to live in a state of hallucination; and can forgive everything but the plain, downright, simple, honest truth.
William HazlittRead
Our repugnance to death increases in proportion to our consciousness of having lived in vain.
William HazlittRead
We can bear to be deprived of everything but our self-conceit.
William HazlittRead
There are few things in which we deceive ourselves more than in the esteem we profess to entertain for our firends. It is little better than a piece of quackery. The truth is, we think of them as we please, that is, as they please or displease us.
William HazlittRead
Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is a greater. Possession pampers the mind; privation trains and strengthens it.
William HazlittRead
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