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 long visit to a friend is often a great bore. Never make people twice glad.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Prolonged interactions can sometimes become tedious, and it's important to avoid overstaying one's welcome.
This quote by Abraham Lincoln highlights the delicate balance in maintaining friendships. While spending time with friends is valuable, an extended visit can lead to discomfort or boredom, suggesting that it is better to leave them wanting more, rather than risking the possibility of overstaying one's welcome and diminishing the joy of the interaction.
Themes
FriendshipVisitingBoundariesComfortInteraction
In practice
Example use cases
During a toast at a friend's gathering, one might reference this quote humorously to emphasize the importance of not overstaying a visit.
More from Abraham Lincoln
All quotes βSir, 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
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With every true friendship, we build more firmly the foundations on which the peace of the whole world rests.
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Everyone says they want community and friendship. But mention accountability or commitment to people, and they run the other way.
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The only way of really finding out a man's true character is to play golf with him. In no other walk of life does the cloven hoof so quickly display itself.
P. G. WodehouseRead