Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly be possessed of -- for credit is like fire; when once you have kindled it you may easily preserve it, but if you once extinguish it, you will find it an arduous task to rekindle it again. The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.
Alt. trans.: "The shortest and surest way to live with honour in the world, is to be in reality what we would appear to be; and if we observe, we shall find, that all human virtues increase and strengthen themselves by the practice of them."
"The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be."
The above appear to be close enough (especially as I cannot source them) to the language of the primary quote to make me think they are different "classic" translations of the same.
Comments (2)
I've been looking everywhere for a citation for this quote, don't suppose you could pass that along to me?
Posted by Bobby Goodrich | August 24, 2008 2:48 PM
Alas, if I had a better citation than "Attributed," I'd be more than happy to pass one on.
Posted by *** Dave | August 24, 2008 6:19 PM