The two most important things in any company do not appear in its balance sheet: its reputation and its people.

Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present.

But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in the room that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with.

You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do.

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that you'll do things differently.

Always try to associate yourself closely with and learn as much as you can from those who know more than you, who do better than you, who see more clearly than you. Apart from the rewards of friendship, the association might pay off at some unforeseen time - that is only an accidental byproduct. The important thing is that the learning will make you a better person.