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About this quote

What does it mean?
One should fulfill duty and maintain a good reputation while ignoring the world's judgments.
In plain terms
Do your job and let others say what they want.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize duty and integrity over public opinion.

Where it applies

  • workplace
  • public-service
  • personal-conduct

Putting it to work

  • work with integrity
  • ignore gossip
  • fulfill obligations

Questions to consider

  • When does reputation matter?
  • How do you handle judgment?

Another view

Public opinion can sometimes hold leaders accountable.

More from Denis Diderot

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  3. The world is the house of the strong. I shall not know until the end what I have lost or won in this place, in this vast gambling den where I have spent more t…

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