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
He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Criticism should come from those who genuinely care and want to help.
This quote by Abraham Lincoln emphasizes the importance of having a constructive intent behind criticism. It suggests that only those who truly care about others' well-being have the right to critique them, as their feedback is rooted in a desire for improvement and support.
Themes
CriticismHelpSupportWisdomGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
During a team meeting, I shared this quote to remind my colleagues that our feedback should always aim to uplift each other.
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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The open mind never acts: when we have done our utmost to arrive at a reasonable conclusion, we still must close our minds for the moment with a snap, and act dogmatically on our conclusions.
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To understand is to perceive patterns.
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