Abraham Lincoln, (1809-1865) 16th US President Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Abraham Lincoln Quote “Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”Abraham Lincoln ~ Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) 16th US President Character , Honor , Integrity , President , Proverbs , Wisdom Ratings and Comments Reply Anonymous 5/19/06 Reply Anonymous 12/13/07 You really have to think about this quote. What we do affects our reputation, just as Lincoln's actions would either please or displease his people. Even though he wants to think of the shadow, he goes with the tree instead because he knows that his actions will benefit the people. Reply Nora, Marion, OH 4/22/08 Describes Mike Huckabee. Well said, Abe. Reply Mike, Norwalk 2/23/21 I like it, a lot ! Reply Harriet B. Stowe., Boston 2/23/21 So where was his character on the Dred Scott Case? No one really knows but he was no champion for constitutional law. The Constitution was undermine by the SC at the time, it was not up to activist's to decide the case and should have never been heard. It would've have taken a 2/3's vote to change Chattel Slave laws within in Congress, that's why we had this social contract, which from the beginning the revolution warned of activist judges. His character is tarnished, and this quote should be scrapped. We stayed a great nation despite of him. SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Abraham Lincoln quote is found in these categories: Character quotes Honor quotes Integrity quotes President quotes Proverbs quotes Wisdom quotes About Abraham Lincoln Bio of Abraham Lincoln Quotations by Abraham Lincoln Books by/about Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln videos Abraham Lincoln on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Abraham Lincoln