Deeds Speak for Themselves

When Akavya ben Mahalalel was on his death bed, his son asked:  "Father, mention me to your colleagues." Akavya replied, "I will not mention you." His son asked, "Have you found some fault in me?" His father answered, "No. But  your  own  good  deeds will  bring you  near  to  them  without any  praise or recommendation,  and  your own bad deeds will remove you far from them  despite anything I might say."

Mishnah Eduyos 5:7