Full Idea
Unless I gain a reputation for morality, my actually being moral will do me no good, but an immoral person who has managed to get a reputation for morality is said to have a wonderful life.
Gist of Idea
Isn't it better to have a reputation for goodness than to actually be good?
Source
Plato (The Republic [c.371 BCE], 365b)
Book Reference
Plato: 'Republic', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 1993], p.53