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
Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true or not, I can say, for one, that I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow-men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem. How far I shall succeed in gratifying this ambition is yet to be developed.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the deep human desire for esteem and worthiness among peers.
Abraham Lincoln expresses that each individual has their own unique ambition, but he identifies his greatest aspiration as being esteemed by others through his actions. He acknowledges uncertainty about his success in achieving this goal, highlighting that the pursuit of respect and admiration from others is a noble and ongoing journey.
Themes
EsteemAmbitionWorthinessRespectFellow-Men
In practice
Example use cases
In a commencement speech to inspire students about the value of community and mutual respect.
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.
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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.
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
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It is as commendable to think well of oneself when alone, as it is ridiculous to speak well of oneself among others.
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The only superstition I have is that I must start a new book on the same day that I finish the last one, even if it's just a few notes in a file. I dread not having work in progress.
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...it is so silly of people to fancy that old age means crookedness and witheredness and feebleness and sticks and spectacles and rheumatism and forgetfulness! It is so silly! Old age has nothing whatever to do with all that. The right old age means strength and beauty and mirth and courage and clear eyes and strong painless limbs.
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People make a lot of effort not to remember, not to accept their immense magical potential.
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Wise to resolve, patient to perform.
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Our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth, or power. Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter.
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