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
Upon this subject, the habits of our whole species fall into three great classes--useful labour, useless labour and idleness. Of these the first only is meritorious; and to it all the products of labour rightfully belong; but the two latter, while they exist, are heavy pensioners upon the first, robbing it of a large portion of it's just rights. The only remedy for this is to, as far as possible, drive useless labour and idleness out of existence.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Lincoln emphasizes the importance of productive work while criticizing idleness and unproductive labor.
In this quote, Abraham Lincoln reflects on human productivity and classifies labor into three categories: useful, useless, and idle. He argues that only useful work is commendable, as it creates value, while useless labor and idleness detract from society by consuming resources without contributing. To improve society, he advocates for minimizing activity that does not yield productive results since it undermines the efforts of those who contribute meaningfully.
Themes
LaborIdlenessProductivityWorkValue
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a discussion about work ethics in a motivational seminar.
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
If we don’t want to define ourselves by things as superficial as our appearances, we’re stuck with the revolting alternative of being judged by our actions.
Ellen DegeneresRead
God grant you all your desires and accept my own hearty thanks for all your attention to me. Although indeed, those attentions have tried me more than death can now terrify me.
Lady Jane GreyRead
There must be some kind of way out of here,' said the joker to the thief.
Bob DylanRead
Prisons are built with stones of Law. Brothels with the bricks of religion.
William BlakeRead
What God requires of us he himself works in us, or it is not done. He that commands faith, holiness, and love, creates them by the power of his grace going along with his word, that he may have all the praise.
Matthew HenryRead
One judge is coughing his life out into bloody handkerchiefs and the other is burying his wife, and you think this is how God answers your prayers?
Orson Scott CardRead