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
Continue to execute all the express provisions of our national Constitution, and the Union will endure forever-it being impossible to destroy it, except by some action not provided for in the instrument itself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The Constitution is a lasting foundation for the nation that ensures its survival and stability.
Abraham Lincoln's quote emphasizes the importance of adhering strictly to the provisions set forth in the U.S. Constitution as the key to maintaining the Union. He posits that the Constitution is designed to endure and that any actions leading to the dissolution of the Union would not stem from the Constitution itself, thus underscoring the foundational role of the rule of law in preserving democratic governance.
Themes
ConstitutionUnionEndureLawGovernment
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of democracy, one might reference Lincoln's quote to highlight the significance of the Constitution.
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.
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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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