How to Be an "Honest Abe"

Abraham Lincoln was known for his rigorous honesty. To emulate his strong moral fiber, you will have to go beyond everyday niceties. Being a good person is difficult but Abraham Lincoln has offered you a template which you can follow. Here is how to be an "Honest Abe."

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• a conscience that will not allow you to cheat anyone, even by accident
• a belief that a half truth is a whole lie

To Thine Own Self Be True, and to Everyone Else as Well

1. Go the extra mile to be honest. Abraham Lincoln once overcharged a shop patron by a few extra pennies. As soon as he realized his mistake, he took the amount overcharged and walked to the woman's house to repay her.
2. Don't take advantage of the suffering of others. Lincoln refused to accept payment from a disabled girl's estate after winning a settlement for her because he felt it would be taking advantage of her plight to do so.
3. If you make a mistake, set it right immediately. Lincoln once weighed out some loose tea for a patron, but did not notice an additional weight on the scale. When he found out, he immediately gave the patron the full amount of tea she should have gotten.
4. To be an "Honest Abe," you may sometimes have to make sacrifices. If the clerk at the gas station hands you change for a twenty when you handed him a five, and you have driven away, what will you do?

Tips & Warnings

• Always tell the whole truth
• Return anything taken inadvertently, even if it means going out of your way
• Help those who are vulnerable without accepting payment