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
Public opinion in this country is everything.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Public opinion plays a crucial role in shaping societal norms and governance.
Abraham Lincoln's quote emphasizes the importance of public opinion in a democracy. It suggests that the beliefs and attitudes of the populace are fundamental in guiding the actions of leaders and influencing decisions that impact society as a whole.
Themes
Public OpinionDemocracySocietyGovernanceLeadership
In practice
Example use cases
During a community meeting, this quote could be used to highlight the importance of listening to constituents.
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
She wanted—what some people want throughout life—a grief that should deeply touch her, and thus humanize and make her capable of sympathy.
Nathaniel HawthorneRead
The true man of the past waited upon Heaven when dealing with people and did not wait upon people when dealing with Heaven.
ZhuangziRead
I don't have to write about the future. For most people, the present is enough like the future to be pretty scary.
William GibsonRead
The opportunity for doing mischief is found a hundred times a day, and of doing good once in a year.
VoltaireRead
Everything you're sure is right can be wrong in another place.
Barbara KingsolverRead
If you look at other countries, you see they have different values: defend more, pass the ball out more, winning is holy. In England, you could say that sport itself is holy. They say, 'Look, guys, it's about more than just winning.'
Johan CruyffRead