Reputation and Character
William Hersey Davis

The circumstances amid which you life determine your reputation;
the truth you believe determines your character.
Reputation is what you are supposed to be;
character is what you are.
Reputation is the photograph;
character is the face.
Reputation comes over one from without;
character grows up from within.
Reputation is what you have when you come to a new community;
character is what you have when you go away.
Your reputation is learned in an hour;
your character does not come to light for a year.
Reputation is made in a moment;
character is built in a lifetime.
Reputation grows like a mushroom;
character grows like the oak.
A single newspaper report gives you your reputation;
a life of toil gives you your character.
Reputation makes you rich or makes you poor;
character makes you happy or makes you miserable.
Reputation is what men say about you on your tombstone;
character is what angels say about you before the throne of God.