It does not follow that a lasting reputation can grow out of thin air. On the contrary, the need for a practical test of one's authenticity eventually becomes pressing. Ultimately, the test consists in the ability to use violence both at the outset of one's career and later, when an established reputation is under attack from authentic and bogus rivals alike (a rival who loses can always be said to have been bogus).

XREF: Connects to reputation economics and signaling theory — authenticity must be proven through costly display, echoing how feuds authenticate status. Builds on: "Genuine and fake mafiosos have opposing identification incentives."

Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Busi…, loc. 117