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
A fellow once came to me to ask for an appointment as a minister abroad. Finding he could not get that, he came down to some more modest position. Finally, he asked to be made a tide-waiter. When he saw he could not get that, he asked me for an old pair of trousers. It is sometimes well to be humble.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Humility is an important virtue that can lead to personal growth and acceptance.
This quote from Abraham Lincoln emphasizes the value of humility in one's aspirations. The anecdote illustrates how an individual's desires can be scaled down from grand ambitions to more modest requests, ultimately highlighting the importance of accepting one's place and embracing humility in the face of limitations. Lincoln suggests that being humble can lead to personal growth and a better understanding of oneself.
Themes
HumilityAspirationAcceptancePersonal GrowthModesty
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about career goals, this quote can remind attendees to stay humble regardless of their ambitions.
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
Truly, it is in darkness that one finds the light, so when we are in sorrow, then this light is nearest of all to us.
Meister EckhartRead
Now all of a sudden I'm so less interested in pretending to be a lot of other people, and much more interested in being me.
Jamie Lee CurtisRead
It isn't really important to decide when you are very young just exactly what you want to become when you grow up. It is much more important to decide on the way you want to live. If you are going to be honest with yourself and honest with your friends, if you are going to get involved in causes which are good for others, not only for yourselves, then it seems to me that that is sufficient, and maybe what you will be is only a matter of chance.
Golda MeirRead
But it is good to be several floors up in the dead of night wondering whether you are any good or not and the only decision you can make is that you did it.
Frank O'HaraRead
You probably wouldn't worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do.
Olin MillerRead
Take what's useful, discard what is not.
Bruce LeeRead