Respect and Reputation Quotes in Lonesome Dove

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Newt went on chopping wood, a little bothered by the fact that Jake had such a bad reputation with the men. They all considered him to be a man who shirked his duties. Mr. Gus worked even less and nobody seemed to feel that way about him. (19.116)

Reputation is a valuable currency in this world, and it's shocking to Newt to learn that the riches of reputation possessed by Jake Spoon are counterfeit.

Quote #5

"Besides the liquor, I think we'll require a little respect. […] If you care to turn around, you can see our pictures when we was younger." (42.50)

This is the beginning of a lengthy scene during which Gus and Call are treated like dirt and have to remind a young bartender who they are. It's the Texas Ranger version of "Do you know who you're speaking to? Do you know my name?" In this world, age doesn't necessarily earn you respect. You have to keep your reputation alive by continuing to do whatever it was that made you famous in the first place. And when you get too old to do that? Good luck. This is no country for old men.

Quote #6

"Well, what's that to me? […] I never heard of them and I won't have these old cowboys coming in here and making this kind of mess."

"They ain't old cowboys. […] They're Texas Rangers. You've heard of them. You've just forgot." (42.75-42.76)

It's humbling and insulting to Gus and Call to be called "old cowboys" by this twerp. They probably never thought that their reputations might have an expiration date.