林獻堂是台灣日治時期中部地區的鄉紳領袖，由於他的家世與學習背景，儒學思想成為他個人性格與人格的形成關鍵，倫理道德是其為人處事的中心思考與決策準據。林獻堂個性謙和善良，平易近人，思想開通，成為他領導抗日政治社會運動的有利條件，兼之以中國傳統儒士的責任觀，在歷史轉型期上，表現道德勇氣，批判意識與社會取向的價值追求。所以面對家族倫理與親情違逆，公務倫理與私人經濟危機，地方認同與政治不滿等三面向的衝突時，都能獲得圓滿解決，並贏得斯時與現代台灣人的尊敬。綜論其一生之性格與人格反映，全是儒學思想的具體作為。

Hsien Tang Lin was a country gentry's leader in the Taiwan central region during the Japanese occupation. His family history and personal learning background had enriched his thinking of Confucianism, which became the formation key of his personal character and morality. His main thoughts were as follows: the ethic moral was the center thinking that have an effect on his behavior and policy making. Mr. Lin had humble character, who was reasonable and easy to get along with others, was conductive to him to lead a political society of opposing Japanese government. Mr. Lin also had the Chinese traditional intellectuals' view of responsibility to express the moral courage, critical consciousness and pursue social value. Specifically, Mr. Lin faced the following three contradictions: the family ethics and natural affection counteracting; public ethics and private economic crisis; concerns over local region and political disaffection. All of which have been resolved successfully, which had earned him due respect from folks in his time until now. In conclusion, the personality and morality of the whole life of Hsien Tang Lin were a reflection of the wisdom of Confucianism.