PADUTCH-LIFE-L Archives

From: "Vee L. Housman" <>
Subject: 64-Character vs. Reputation
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 14:43:41 -0400

CHARACTER VS. REPUTATION

Have you ever observed an engine in motion? If you have, did
you ever notice that the little rods which drive the machine make
the least noise? The fly rod which thrums and beats and slams itself
about seems to keep the whole thing going, and yet it wouldn't turn
one inch if it weren't for the tiny, silent rods under the engine that
we can barely see and that are covered with grease.

It's the same way with people. Whenever a movement gets
started, there are always those who blow their horns and fly around
and make a fuss as if they were the machine. And the fact is they
do practically nothing other than line their pockets with good pay
for every move they make. They always manage to make their
names be heard whether people want to hear them or not. I guess
they can't help themselves. They have a sickness for notoriety, and
it would kill them if no one would help them build their reputations.
You can see the difference at the creek. Go to where the water is
deep; you'll hear no noise. That's where the big fish are. Then move
on to a noisy ripple. There the water is shallow, and you'll find the
small fry.

Take a barrel, fill it with sand, and roll it down a hill. You will
hear no sound. Then take the sand out and put a pair of walnuts
inside, and you'll think the devil's broken loose when it rolls down
the hill. It's not the man who makes the big racket who does the
most work. It's the silent man, who doesn't have the time to show
off his name, who does the business. The man who is conscientious
and hard working has no need to advertise his name. He advertises
himself. That man works for character. The other works for
reputation.

Character is what a man really is. Reputation is what people
think he is. An ounce of character is worth more than a carload of
reputation. And a man who is more concerned about his reputation
than his character can't be trusted out at night after ten o'clock.
When a man who is tempted to do wrong looks you in the eye and
says, "I can't do it; it's not right," then the devil takes a back seat.
But when he says, "I dare not do it; I’ll be found out," then watch
out! He's afraid for his reputation, and when the road is clear he'd
steal the golden banners from the gates of heaven, and next Sunday
parade into church like a general.

Nevertheless, this is the way of the world. It takes all kinds to
fill it, and about forty percent of the lot are bad. But of all the
bad,
be most careful of those who peddle their names like a rooster
parades its tail--high in the air when he thinks someone is watching.

* * *

Note: This collection of Boonastiel stories was written by H. A.
Harter in the original Penna-Dutch dialect and were published in the
Keystone Gazette, Bellefonte, PA, between 1894 and 1904. They
were translated and transcribed by Bob James of Alaska and they
are being posted to this PADUTCH-LIFE mailing list with his
permission.

This thread:

• 64-Character vs. Reputation by "Vee L. Housman" <>