How to Be an "Honest Abe"

Member

By Jane Smith
eHow Community Member

Article Rating:

(11 Ratings)

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."

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

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

Step 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.
Step 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.
Step 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.
Step 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?