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
In those days, our Declaration of Independence was held sacred by all, and thought to include all; but now, to aid in the making the bondage of the negro universal and eternal, it is assailed, and sneered at, and construed, and hawked at, and torn, till, if its framers could rise from their graves, they could not at all recognize it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the betrayal of the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the struggle against the oppression of Black people.
Abraham Lincoln's quote reflects a deep concern for how the principles established in the Declaration of Independence have been undermined in the context of systemic racism and the oppression of African Americans. He articulates a sense of loss and disillusionment that those who originally framed these ideals would no longer recognize their cherished document, now tainted by misuse and misinterpretation to justify the subjugation of a whole race. This underscores the necessity for society to uphold and truly embody the principles of liberty and equality for all.
Themes
FreedomIndependenceEqualityOppressionRace
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about civil rights, to highlight the importance of upholding the founding principles of the nation.
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
The essential things in life are seen, not with the eyes but with the heart.
Antoine De Saint-ExuperyRead
Anything that you throw comes back. All your actions are echoes.
Swami SatchidanandaRead
Understand that thoughts are thoughts. If they are unreasonable, reason with them, even if you have no reason left. You are the observer of your mind, not its victim.
Matt HaigRead
Fortunately, the time has long passed when people liked to regard the United States as some kind of melting pot, taking men and women from every part of the world and converting them into standardized, homogenized Americans. We are, I think, much more mature and wise today. Just as we welcome a world of diversity, so we glory in an America of diversity -- an America all the richer for the many different and distinctive strands of which it is woven.
Hubert H. HumphreyRead
Thought is pure energy. Every thought you have, have ever had, and ever will have is creative. The energy of your thought never dies. Ever. It leaves your being and heads out into the universe, extending forever. A thought is forever.
Neale Donald WalschRead
Intellectual generalities are always interesting, but generalities in morals mean absolutely nothing.
Oscar WildeRead