Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
True character is known by divine standards, while reputation is just public opinion.
In plain terms
God knows who you really are; people only see what you look like.
What can you take from it?
Focus on character, not just reputation.

Where it applies

  • career choices
  • personal ethics
  • community service

Putting it to work

  • act with integrity
  • build trust
  • be authentic

Questions to consider

  • Do you care more about what people think or who you are?
  • How do you define your character?

Another view

Reputation often influences real-world outcomes.

More from Horace Mann

  1. Avoid witicisms at the expense of others.

    Permalink to quote #14
  2. Do not think of knocking out another person's brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to knock yourself on the head because you …

    Permalink to quote #16
  3. Affectation hides three times as many virtues as charity does sins

    Permalink to quote #13

Related quotes

  1. I am better than my reputation.

    Friedrich von SchillerFriedrich von Schiller quote #19
  2. Honor has not to be won; it must only not be lost.

    Arthur SchopenhauerArthur Schopenhauer quote #22
  3. I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made.

    Franklin Delano RooseveltFranklin Delano Roosevelt quote #59