Tim O'Reilly Quotes

Notoriety is such a prized thing. Society suddenly wants your opinion on things - everyone from your mom to an editor at The New York Times.

The more name value I have, the better. The more undeniable I am, the better. Then I can get what I want.

I had worked hard my entire career to establish myself as a leader. But I wasn't a leader until I was perceived as one.

Reputation is the road to power

The higher your profile, the more people want you.

Along with success comes a reputation for wisdom.

People change their opinion according to your position. And both politicians and bureaucrats begin to take you more seriously, as they suddenly feel you have become more important.

There's no Peter York Foundation, and you're no one without one.

They can't pooh-pooh me now, because of who I am.

A seat in the council is honor without profit.

Politicians respect a lot of things, but nothing so much as success.

The influence of the leaders is due in very small measure to the arguments they employ, but in a large degree to their prestige. The best proof of this is that, should they by any circumstance lose their prestige, their influence disappears.

Knowledge is power as well as fame.

Reputation is the cornerstone of power. Through reputation alone you can intimidate and win; once it slips, however, you are vulnerable, and will be attacked on all sides. Make your reputation unassailable.

Fame in itself is, you know... It involves a whole discussion on just that word, 'fame.' It's a power; it's another degree of power, to be famous. I think it's obvious: you have more influence the more well-known you are. And, hopefully, it's righteously used.

I don't care about power. I don't care about credit.

Part of being a top-20 firm is mind-share.

The best thing that winning those Academy Awards things are - the best thing of it is that when I say some of my ideas, somebody's going to listen to it, and they'll preface what I say, 'Academy Award winner da-da-da-da-da.'

Fame gives you a high.

I wanted to go somewhere I could be an important player. Be the player the whole city looks up to.

Of course, I'd love to be regarded as a voice of authority.

Winning all these trophies and having all this success gives you a voice.

Even a nod from a person who is esteemed is of more force than a thousand arguments or studied sentences from others.

I would like to walk in a room and people know who I am and be like, "Oh, I respect his opinion."

Some men's reputation seems like seed-wheat, which thrives best when brought from a distance.