Propriety was a rigid master, but one that must be obeyed if one wanted to keep a sterling reputation.

Risk! Risk anything! Care no more for the opinions of others, for those voices. Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself. Face the truth.

—Lawana Blackwell

Age is no guarantee of maturity.

—Lawana Blackwell

My marriage had its ups and downs like anyone's, but when it came down to it, I knew it was solid. I miss that sort of security, and that sort of connection with someone.

—Lawana Blackwell

I've grown to realize the joy that comes from little victories is preferable to the fun that comes from ease and the pursuit of pleasure.

—Lawana Blackwell

There are two modes of establishing our reputation: to be praised by honest men, and to be abused by rogues. It is best, however, to secure the former, because it will invariably be accompanied by the latter.

—Charles Caleb Colton

Reputation is what other people know about you. Honor is what you know about yourself.

—Lois McMaster Bujold

Are you not ashamed of heaping up the greatest amount of money and honor and reputation, and caring so little about wisdom and truth and the greatest improvement of the soul?

—Socrates

When do I stop? When I'm twenty-five? Thirty? Thirty-five? Forty? Or right this minute? Nobody tells you how long you should keep doing something before you give up forever.

—Meg Wolitzer in The Interestings

It’s better to not have a reputation than a bad one.

—Nic Pizzolatto