Reputation

Reputation is one of the most important factors in your relative success in life, because it can make or break you and mediates success/failure. A tarnished reputation could prevent you from getting the job that you desire, even though the negligent action that you had taken to damage your reputation happened years ago and you have since corrected your path to higher ground. It will always be your skeleton in the closet, something that is extremely difficult or impossible to get rid of or erase completely. The more well known you become, the greater the potential downfall if your reputation is irrevocably damaged. You will never again be able to achieve the success you once had, unless by some miracle you are forgiven by the entire population. On the other hand, a sterling reputation can carry you to great heights, perhaps higher than any amount of talent or hard work would do alone. Reputation will lift you up or tear you down.