I Baltimore Sun. I
People do not always recognize that
besides those who have a good or a
bad name, respectively, there are a
great many who have, so to speak, no
name at all. Good names and bad
names are acquired, and very many
people do nothing to distinguish
themselves as good or bad. A bad
name may be acquired very quickly
and sometimes undeservedly, but a
good name is only earned by long
years of upright conduct. It is this in
part which gives it value, for in gain
ing it habits are established which
help to preserve it. A good name is
reckoned as of value chiefly because it
promotes the business interests of its
possessor. The man who has a good
name is accorded credit according to
his known means, and can borrow
without collateral. As the saying
goes, his word is as good as his bond.
But he enjoys other advantages. He
is respected and trusted, his word is
accepted as truth. It is far different
with the man of a bad name. He has
no credit. Men do not care to deal
with him, even when he offers his bond
and collateral security. They are
afraid of some trick whereby they may
be cheated. He is neither respected
nor trusted, and his word is always
doubted. Between these two classes
there is a third, the members of which
are without a name. They are neither
trusted, like those who have a good
name, nor distrusted, like those who
have a bad name. They may get
credit if they give security ; they may
be believed it their story is supported
by evidence, or is not improbable;
but they enjoy no such advantages as
the trusted man with a good name.
