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
When I am getting ready to reason with a man, I spend one-third of my time thinking about myself and what I am going to say and two-thirds about him and what he is going to say.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Effective communication involves understanding both yourself and the other person's perspective.
This quote by Abraham Lincoln emphasizes the importance of empathy in conversations. It highlights that successful reasoning or argumentation requires not only preparation on one's own views but significantly more consideration of the other individual's thoughts and responses, suggesting that true understanding and productive dialogue stem from prioritizing the perspective of others.
Themes
CommunicationEmpathyUnderstandingDialogueReasoning
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote during a workshop on effective communication.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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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