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
This is essentially a people's contest... whose leading object is to elevate the condition of men - to lift artificial weights from all shoulders - to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all - to afford all, an unfettered start and a fair chance, in the race of life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of equality and opportunity for all individuals.
Abraham Lincoln highlights the essential nature of society as a contest where the goal is to improve the conditions of humanity. He advocates for removing obstacles that hinder personal growth and success, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to thrive in life.
Themes
EqualityOpportunityHumanitySuccessFair Chance
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could inspire a discussion on social justice in a community meeting.
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
Here we go mother on the shipless ocean. Pity us, pity the ocean, here we go.
Anne CarsonRead
Faced with the pain of freedom, man begs for his shackles.
Gerry SpenceRead
The proclamation of Jesus is not a veneer: the proclamation of Jesus goes straight to the bones, heart, goes deep within and change us. And the spirit of the world does not tolerate it, will not tolerate it, and therefore, there is persecution.
Pope FrancisRead
Self-esteem is the greatest sickness known to man or woman because it's conditional.
Albert EllisRead
The Human Species could have been great but instead we became satisfied with lights on our tennis shoes.
George CarlinRead
I have finally decided to write my book on the spiritual life. I mean to put down as simply as possible the sort of ascetical or mystical teaching that I have been living and preaching so long. I call it 'Le Milieu Divin,' but I am being careful to include nothing esoteric and the minimum of explicit philosophy.
Pierre Teilhard De ChardinRead