The blaze of reputation cannot be blown out, but it often dies in the socket; a very few names may be considered as perpetual lamps that shine unconsumed.
Interpretation
Reputation is enduring but fragile, requiring nurturing to remain vibrant.
This quote by Samuel Johnson suggests that while a strong reputation can be enduring, it is also vulnerable and can fade over time if not properly maintained. He implies that only a select few individuals manage to maintain a glowing reputation that remains bright throughout their lives, much like a perpetual lamp that never runs out of fuel.
In practice
In a motivational speech about career advancement.
To be of no church is dangerous. Religion, of which the rewards are distant, and which is animated only by faith and hope, will glide by degrees out of the mind unless it be invigorated and reimpressed by external ordinances, by stated calls to worship, and the salutary influence of example.
He that reads and grows no wiser seldom suspects his own deficiency, but complains of hard words and obscure sentences, and asks why books are written which cannot be understood.
To let friendship die away by negligence and silence is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of the weary pilgrimage.
Fly-fishing may be a very pleasant amusement; but angling or float fishing I can only compare to a stick and a string, with a worm at one end and a fool at the other.
When any anxiety or gloom of the mind takes hold of you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaining; but exert yourselves to hide it, and by endeavoring to hide it you drive it away.
A fishing rod is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool at the other.
I don't want to end my career and then start something. I like to do something while my career is still hot and I've always enjoyed designing.
I have met many entrepreneurs who have the passion and even the work ethic to succeed - but who are so obsessed with an idea that they don't see its obvious flaws. Think about that. If you can't even acknowledge your failures, how can you cut the rope and move on?
I'm always thinking about losing money as opposed to making money. Don't focus on making money, focus on protecting what you have
The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else.
There's no real excuse for being successful enough as an actor to do what you want and then selling out. You do it pure. You don't try to adapt it, make it commercial.
Luck has nothing to do with it, because I have spent many, many hours, countless hours, on the court working for my one moment in time, not knowing when it would come.
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