One can survive everything nowadays, except death, and live down anything except a good reputation.

Summary

This quote implies that in today's society, technological advancements and material comforts may make it easier to overcome difficult situations or challenges. However, the quote emphasizes the enduring importance of reputation. While a person can overcome nearly anything, surviving death being the exception, a tarnished reputation is much harder to recover or "live down." It suggests that maintaining a good reputation should be valued as it holds greater significance than overpowering other obstacles that modern society presents.