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
To read in the Bible, as the word of God himself, that "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, ["] and to preach there-from that, "In the sweat of other mans faces shalt thou eat bread," to my mind can scarcely be reconciled with honest sincerity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the importance of honesty and integrity in one's work and challenges the idea of exploiting others for personal gain.
Abraham Lincoln's quote emphasizes the moral implications of hard work and the relationship between effort and reward. He critiques the notion that one can prosper by exploiting the labor of others instead of engaging in honest work oneself. This reflects a broader philosophical view on the importance of sincerity and the ethical considerations of one's actions, encouraging individuals to value their own labor and the integrity of their character.
Themes
HonestyIntegrityHard WorkExploitationSincerity
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech to young entrepreneurs, you could use this quote to encourage them to value their labor and avoid shortcuts.
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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