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 [Stephen Douglas] is blowing out the moral lights around us, when he contends that whoever wants slaves has a right to hold them; that he is penetrating, so far as lies in his power, the human soul, and eradicating the light of reason and the love of liberty, when he is in every possible way preparing the public mind, by his vast influence, for making the institution of slavery perpetual and national.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Lincoln argues against the moral justification of slavery, highlighting its destructive impact on human reason and liberty.
In this quote, Abraham Lincoln condemns Stephen Douglas for promoting the idea that slavery is a right. He suggests that such arguments not only tarnish moral values but also corrupt the very essence of humanity by undermining reason and the love for freedom. Lincoln's words reflect a deep concern for the moral implications of slavery and its potential to erode the principles of liberty and equality in society.
Themes
SlaveryMoralityFreedomHuman RightsReason
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about human rights, you could use this quote to highlight the moral implications of advocating for freedom.
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.
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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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