But I have to admit that she is not so great looking. And in fact she is not too bright either, to be honest with you. I have no intention of marrying this woman. Like the young man, it is hard for us to imagine living with this ancient system, but it provided great safety. Even today we can avoid tragedy by searching out the reputation of a potential mate.
Reputation is a good report that the person has earned.
You look at what he or she has done in the past. The best indicator of future behavior is past behavior, and the accumulation of past behavior is a reputation. So do not be afraid in the context of courtship to look for references and recommendations regarding your suitor. This may sound unromantic, but before you become romantically connected you need to know who this person is. Seek the input of people who know him or her, and of close friends who can help you evaluate the potential relationship more objectively than you can on your own.