"Many a man's reputation would not know his character if they met on the street"

This quote by Elbert Hubbard is a reminder that our track record is not constantly a precise reflection of our character. It suggests that the viewpoint people held by others is often based on rumor and presumptions, rather than on a real understanding of who we are. Our reputation is typically shaped by the stories and chatter that circulate about us, instead of by our real behavior. This quote encourages us to be mindful of how we present ourselves to the world, as our track record can be quickly stained by the words of others. It also works as a suggestion that our character is eventually figured out by our own actions, and not by the opinions of others. Eventually, this quote is a suggestion that our credibility is not always a precise reflection of our character, and that we must make every effort to be the best variation of ourselves, despite what others may think.