Quote By Abraham Lincoln

Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

16th President of the United States and Emancipator of Slaves.

Born: February 12, 1809

Died: April 15, 1865

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. President, led the nation through the Civil War and abolished slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation. Assassinated in 1865, his legacy endures in American history and civil rights.

Explanation Of The Quote

Abraham Lincoln draws a distinction between character and reputation, highlighting the difference between perception and reality. He suggests that while reputation is shaped by public opinion, character is inherent and true to one's values and actions. Lincoln's analogy encourages individuals to prioritize building and maintaining strong character, emphasizing authenticity and integrity over external perceptions.

More Quotes By Abraham Lincoln

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.

Abraham Lincoln

No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar

Abraham Lincoln

You may think it was a very little thing, and in these days it seems to me like a trifle, but it was a most important incident in my life. I could scarcely credit that I, the poor boy, had earned a dollar in less than a day; that by honest work, I had earned a dollar. I was a more hopeful and thoughtful boy from that time.

Abraham Lincoln

You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.

Abraham Lincoln

You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.

Abraham Lincoln

With Malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds.

Abraham Lincoln

When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

Abraham Lincoln

Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally

Abraham Lincoln

When I hear a man preach, I like to see him act as if he were fighting bees.

Abraham Lincoln

When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion.

Abraham Lincoln

You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.

Abraham Lincoln

Whatever you are, be a good one.