It's exhausting to manage other people's opinions of you. Marcus marveled at how we love ourselves more than anyone, yet value our own judgment less than the judgments of others. Reputation is a shadow you cast; character is the thing casting it. You can't fully control what people think, and chasing it turns you into a performance. But your character, your honesty, your patience, the way you treat someone who can't help you, that's entirely up to you. Tend the real thing and let the shadow fall where it will. People may misread you, but you'll know what you actually are, and that's the part worth protecting.

Inspired by the old idea of character over reputation. Written by Ugo Charles.