In prior postings, we quoted Alan Greespan, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, asserting shortly after the financial markets collapsed that  “In a market system based on trust, reputation has a significant economic value.” 
 
Ab actu ad posse valet illatio. We now quote Robert Gates, Defense Secretary, affirming the point with respect to the most ethereal of the intangible assets, security, as described in an NPR story on the Afghan Wikileaks.

"It's amazing how much trust matters, whether it's with governments or with individuals around the world. And it seems to me that as a result of this massive breach of security we have considerable repair work to do in terms of rebuilding trust, because people are going to feel at risk."

And that's why reputation is so valuable. Quod est.