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
The demon of intemperance ever seems to have delighted in sucking the blood of genius and of generosity.
Interpretation
Intemperance can destroy talent and kindness by consuming them.
Abraham Lincoln's quote reflects the destructive nature of intemperance, which represents excessive indulgence or lack of moderation. It suggests that this vice not only undermines one's creative genius but also erodes the generosity and goodwill that individuals possess, highlighting the importance of temperance in sustaining both personal virtue and societal contributions.
In practice
During a speech about self-control and its importance in achieving success.
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.
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.
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.
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.
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.
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.
The beginning is the most important part of the work.
If I cannot brag of knowing something, then I brag of not knowing it; at any rate, brag.
Whatever you may have to do, watch your mind. Also you must have moments of complete inner peace and quiet, when your mind is absolutely still. If you miss it, you miss the entire thing. If you do not, the silence of the mind will dissolve and absorb all else.
Mindfulness is like a microscope; it is neither an offensive nor defensive weapon in relation to the germs we observe through it. The function of the microscope is just to clearly present what is there.
Those who every morning plan the transactions of the day and follow out that plan carry a thread that will guide them through the labyrinth of the most busy life. The orderly arrangement of their time is like a ray of light which darts itself through all their occupations. But where no plan is laid, where the disposal of time is surrendered merely to the chance of incidents, chaos will soon reign.
Vision is knowing who you are, where you're going, and what will guide your journey.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.