Reputation

Our opportunities are created or destroyed based on what people think of us. Once a reputation is tarnished, it is hard to clean it up.

Reputation

There IS one thing that’s yours alone,
And it’s up to you to guard it.
That thing’s your reputation—
Be sure you haven’t marred it:

When someone asks, “do you know him?”
And you respond, “Of course,”
Your curiosity’s aroused—
Why? What thoughts are yours?

Are you visualizing someone
Who is pure as driven snow?
Or is his reputation showing—
Painting pictures base and low?

What’s YOUR opinion of yourself?
Could you safely pass the test?
If ever your name’s mentioned,
Would you feel you’ve done your best?

It’s not too late to ponder
On correcting your mistakes.
If your reputation’s tarnished,
Polish it for goodness’ sake!

—Mary Burger

Mary Burger is my grandmother. She wrote this years ago and it was published in her local paper. As of this writing she is 93 1/2 and living in Longmont, CO.

Your reputation is everything: Guard it jealously, reinforce it demonstrably, promote
it religiously.