I am like a man so busy in letting rooms in one end of his house, that he can't stop to put out the fire that is burning the other.
Abraham LincolnRead
At 50, if you are on a diet on your birthday, you can't eat a piece of your birthday cake. So grab two, a piece in each hand and, lo and behold, you will be on a balanced diet! Happy birthday, old chum!
Interpretation
What this quote means
Embrace life's joys without guilt, even on special occasions.
Abraham Lincoln humorously highlights the absurdity of strict dieting on one’s birthday, suggesting that one should enjoy the celebratory moment without guilt. The quote encourages people to indulge in life’s pleasures, particularly celebrating milestones like birthdays, while playfully advocating for a balanced approach to enjoyment and moderation in diet.
Themes
BirthdayDietEnjoymentHumorCelebration
In practice
Example use cases
In a birthday toast where you want to lighten the mood.
More from Abraham Lincoln
All quotes →Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.
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Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.
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How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.
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For it has been said, all that a man hath will he give for his life; and while all contribute of their substance the soldier puts his life at stake, and often yields it up in his country's cause. The highest merit, then is due to the soldier.
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And having thus chosen our course, without guile, and with pure purpose, let us renew our trust in God, and go forward without fear, and with manly hearts.
Abraham LincolnRead
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