So if our actions and qualities compel the highest respect from other people, and they have no option but to give this respect,as soon as anyone, no matter how wicked or foolish he may be, utters something depreciatory of us, our honor is offended, nay, gone for ever, unless we can manage to restore it.

No criticism is more common or more depreciatory than that "Such a one will not succeed, because he has surrounded himself with incompetent men.