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
I have just read your dispatch about sore-tongued and fatigued horses, Will you pardon me for asking what the horses of your army have done since the Battle of Antietam that fatigues anything?
Interpretation
What this quote means
Lincoln questions the effectiveness of a military strategy that leaves horses fatigued without apparent reason.
In this quote, Abraham Lincoln addresses a concern about the condition of the horses in the army, using irony to point out that the horses seem overworked without having engaged in significant activity since a recent battle. This highlights Lincoln's leadership style, which often involved questioning decisions and seeking clarity in order to ensure the well-being of his troops and resources.
Themes
LeadershipMilitaryStrategyCommunicationIrony
In practice
Example use cases
In a leadership seminar discussing effective communication in the military.
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.
Abraham LincolnRead
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.
Abraham LincolnRead
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.
Abraham LincolnRead
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.
Abraham LincolnRead
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
Similar quotes
Whoever imposes severe punishment becomes repulsive to the people; while he who awards mild punishment becomes contemptible. But whoever imposes punishment as deserved becomes respectable.
ChanakyaRead
There must be, not a balance of power, but a community of power; not organized rivalries, but an organized peace.
Woodrow WilsonRead
If you see your company culture as a family, you don't want to fire someone just because their short-term performance is not good. If you do, even the people on your team who are excellent performers will look at what's going on and say, 'Someday you might fire me too.' You'll lose everyone's trust.
Eric YuanRead
Never break the neutrality of a port or place, but never consider as neutral any place from whence an attack is allowed to be made.
Horatio NelsonRead
Earn the right to be heard by listening to others. Seek to understand a situation before making judgments about it.
John C. MaxwellRead
It is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good.
Pope FrancisRead