The Salt Lake Tribune ISSUED EVERY MORNING BY THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE PUBLISHING CO. Salt Lake City, Utah, Sunday Morning, July 7, 1935. Reputation and Character SOLOMON said and reiterated in his proverbs that a good name is better than precious ointment; also that a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. The reputation of a man or woman rests upon the value of the name that either bears in the community. But another ancient proverb states that reputation is often got without merit and lost without crime. The purest treasure mortal times afford, said Shakespeare, is spotless reputation. And elsewhere he made the idea clear by saying: He who steals my purse steals trash; tis something, nothing; twas mine, tis his, and has been slave to thousands; but he that filches from me my good name, robs me of that which not enriches him and makes me poor indeed. Sometimes a man loses his standing, his credit, his reputation through no wilfulness nor evil intent. He may be lax in moral stamina, or careless with responsibilities, or overconfident and self righteous, or even simple to the point of pathetic gullibility. Public office and positions of trust are pitfalls for such a person. He is not the prudent individual hiding from temptation, whom Solomon commended. Rather does he come within another category handed down by the wise man of ancient Israel. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him. Such a custodian of public funds is often so sure of himself that he feels nothing can happen to mar his record. He cultivates an asinine assurance of being favored by fate an guided by divine solicitude. This confidence he sometimes reposes in others. The simple believeth every word but prudent man looketh well to his going, said Solomon in the fifteenth verse of the fourteenth chapter of the Book of Proverbs. Good men go wrong when they venture beyond their depth in the sea of affairs. There is a way that seemeth right to a man but the end thereof is the way of death, said the same authority on fools careless of their reputation. See that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, wrote Paul to the Ephesians. Who shall estimate the price of a reputation? What can be done to repair one that is injured? How can it be redeemed when lost? When it is gone gold has no value, station no dignity, beauty no charm, age no reverence, ability no use, fame no foundation. Those who have built up, day by day and deed by deed, reputations for honor and honesty should guard such priceless treasures against pretended friends and open foes alike. Good names are rich inheritances, fortunes within themselves to conserve as rewards of merit, gems to wear as insignia of upright living sources of infinite satisfaction to the possessors and an inspiration to all their friends and associates. Some philosopher has said that reputation is what other people think of you, but character is what you are. There is truth in that aphorism truth, comfort and encouragement. No matter where folly may have led, nor what pitfalls the stumbling feet of ignorance and egotism may have fallen through, nor how the outer garments of pride and ambition may have been soiled in the mire of misfortune, there is hope and double purpose ahead of the victim if he have character. The foundation of manhood is character. Every act of a useful existence is a stone in that foundation. Upon its solid footing are raised the imposing structures of mans achievement, the temples of learning and of worship, the palaces of success and distinction, the monuments of fame and nobility. Let cyclones of circumstance, fires of passion, earthquakes of intrigue destroy the edifice and leave no trace of former advantage or worth, yet the foundation will remain for another effort and more stable construction. Reputations may be rebuilt, action by action, with high resolve as the architect, courage as the contractor, determination and persistence as the workmen. 21 SATURDAY DECEMBER There are always disheartening conditions, disappointments to brood over and wreckage to clear away. But it has been done and it can be done. No matter where a career begins whether in the cradle or in trade, in youth or maturity, private or in public, there are obstacles to overcome, plans outlined and work to be started. The man, said Disraeli, who does not look up will look down and the spirit that fears to soar may always grovel. He that bears calamity boldly, said Massinger, is the one who wills to live and conquer. There is an old proverb reminding us that he is a good man whom misfortune makes better.