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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of aligning with moral truth rather than justifying one's own actions as righteous.
Abraham Lincoln's quote reflects his deep commitment to moral integrity and the pursuit of righteousness. It suggests that rather than worrying about whether one's cause is supported by God, the focus should be on ensuring that one's actions and beliefs align with what is inherently right and just, emphasizing the idea that divine truth is objective and unchanging, regardless of human interpretations or justifications.
Themes
MoralityRighteousnessIntegrityTruthFaith
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a discussion about ethical leadership.
More from Abraham Lincoln
All quotes βGive 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
The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty. Plainly, the sheep and the wolf are not agreed upon a definition of liberty.
Abraham LincolnRead
Similar quotes
Though they go mad they shall be sane, though they sink through the sea they shall rise again; though lovers be lost love shall not; and death shall have no dominion.
Dylan ThomasRead
It's very depressing to live in a time where it's easier to break an atom than a prejudice.
Albert EinsteinRead
Where Slavery is, there Liberty cannot be; and where Liberty is, there Slavery cannot be.
SukarnoRead
Prejudice, not being founded on reason, cannot be removed by argument.
Samuel JohnsonRead
The lapse of ages changes all things - time - language - the earth - the bounds of the sea - the stars of the sky, and everything 'about, around, and underneath' man, except man himself, who has always been and always will be, an unlucky rascal. The infinite variety of lives conduct but to death, and the infinity of wishes lead but to disappointment. All the discoveries which have yet been made have multiplied little but existence.
Lord ByronRead
There is no sin nor wrong that gives man such a foretaste of Hell in this life as anger and impatience.
St. Catherine Of SienaRead