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
You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry
Interpretation
A person's character can be assessed by their triggers and what they react to emotionally.
This quote by Abraham Lincoln suggests that the true measure of a person's greatness is revealed through their reactions, particularly when faced with anger or provocation. What angers someone can illustrate their values, priorities, and moral compass, providing insight into their character and integrity.
In practice
During a leadership seminar, one could use this quote to discuss emotional intelligence.
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.
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.
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.
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.
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.
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.
When we say we begin with God, we begin with our idea of God, and our idea of God is not God. Instead, we ought to begin with Godβs idea of God, and Godβs idea of God is Christ
And I watch my words from a long way off. They are more yours than mine. They climb on my old suffering like ivy.
I caution you as I was never cautioned: You will never let go, you will never be satiated. You will be damaged and scarred, you will continue to hunger. Your body will age, you will continue to need. You will want the earth, then more of the earth-- Sublime, indifferent, it is present, it will not respond. It is encompassing, it will not minister. Meaning, it will feed you, it will ravish you. It will not keep you alive.
The quarrels and divisions about religion were evils unknown to the heathen. The reason was because the religion of the heathen consisted rather in rites and ceremonies than in any constant belief.
The totality of beliefs and sentiments common to the average members of a society forms a determinate system with a life of its own. It can be termed the collective or creative consciousness.
There has never been an 'original' sin: each is quite banal.
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