XVII.
THE DETRACTOR.
| “The ignoble mind Loves ever to assail with secret blow The loftier, purer beings of their kind.” | |
| W. G. Simms. | |
| “Detraction’s a bold monster, and fears not To wound the fame of princes, if it find But any blemish in their lives to work on.” | |
| Massinger. |
A detractor is one whose aim is to lessen, or withdraw from, that which constitutes a good name or contributes to it.
The love of a good name is natural to man. He who has lost this love is considered most desperately fallen below himself.
To acquire a good name and to maintain it, what have not men done, given, and suffered in the world of Literature, Labour, Science, Politics, and Religion?
And who has blamed them for it? It is declared by the highest wisdom, that “A good name is better than great riches,” and “better than precious ointment.” “The memory of the just shall be blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot.” “Whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
“It is,” as one says, “that which gives us an inferior immortality, and makes us, even in this world, survive ourselves. This part of us alone continues verdant in the grave, and yields a perfume.”
Considering, then, the worth of a good name, we cannot wonder that a man should wish to preserve and guard it with all carefulness.