"If a man is often the subject..." - Quote by Immanuel Kant
If a man is often the subject of conversation he soon becomes the subject of criticism.
More by Immanuel Kant
“Why were a few, or a single one, made at all, if only to exist in order to be made eternally miserable, which is infinitely worse than non-existence?”
“Beneficence is a duty; and he who frequently practices it, and sees his benevolent intentions realized comes, at length, really to love him to whom he has done good.”
“If justice perishes, human life on Earth has lost its meaning.”
More on Reputation
“Few people think more than two or three times a year; I have made an international reputation for myself by thinking once or twice a week.”
“There is no character, howsoever good and fine, but it can be destroyed by ridicule, howsoever poor and witless. Observe the ass, for instance: his character is about perfect, he is the choicest spirit among all the humbler animals, yet see what ridicule has brought him to. Instead of feeling complimented when we are called an ass, we are left in doubt.”
“Nothing in his life became him like leaving it.”
More on Criticism
“The boldest stroke and best act of friendship is not to disclose our own failings to a friend, but to show him his own.”
“And I am quite serious when I say that I do not believe there are, on the whole earth besides, so many intensified bores as in these United States.”
“Crowds stand around all day long and criticise that bridge, and find fault with it, and tell with unlimited frankness how it ought to have been planned, and how they would have built it had the city granted them the $14,000 it cost. It is really refreshing to hang around these and listen to them. A foreigner would come to the conclusion that all America was composed of inspired professional bridge builders.”