Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Cautious people protect reputation but cannot drive reform; true reformers must risk social judgment.
- In plain terms
- Real change requires risking reputation.
- What can you take from it?
- Be willing to be judged to achieve reform.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is it worth risking reputation for a cause?
- How can societies protect reformers?
Another view
Risking reputation can lead to personal loss without guaranteed success.
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