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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

  • activism
  • organizational change

Putting it to work

  • encourage bold proposals
  • protect whistleblowers

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.

More from Susan B. Anthony

  1. The men and women of the North are slaveholders, those of the South slaveowners. The guilt rests on the North equally with the South.

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  3. The true woman will not be exponent of another, or allow another to be such for her. She will be her own individual self... Stand or fall by her own individual…

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