"Time, which alone makes the reputation of men, ends by making their defects respectable"

This quote by Voltaire talks to the power of time and how it can form the track record of men. He recommends that time can make a male's track record, but it can likewise make his defects reputable. This indicates that gradually, people might forget the flaws of a person and rather focus on their accomplishments. This might be viewed as a commentary on how history is often written by the victors, and the errors of those in power are typically overlooked or forgotten. It could also be seen as a warning to those in power to be conscious of their actions, as time may eventually make their errors decent. Ultimately, this quote speaks with the power of time and how it can shape the reputation of men, both favorably and negatively.