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The Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln

February 18, 2003

"You are only what you are when no one is looking.

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

I have simply tried to do what seemed best each days, as each day came.

To sit by in silence, when they should protest makes cowards of men.

It often requires more courage to dare to do right, than to fear to do wrong.

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.  And, under a just God, cannot long retain it.

The better part of one's life consists of his friendships.

It is more important to know that we are on God's side.

A good laugh is good for both the mental and physical digestion.

You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.

Let minor differences and personal preferences, if ther be such, go to the winds (Gray, Stephens & Van Diest, 2001, p. 289)."

Reference:  Gray, A., Stephens, S., & Van Diest, J. (2001).  Lists to live by.  Sisters, OR:  Multnomah Publishers.

Is this wisdom still applicable in the year 2003?

A complete listing of all the Leadership Center's resources is available on our website http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu/

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Created: 2008-12-22, Updated: 2009-01-09