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
I have great respect for the semicolon; it is a mighty handy little fellow.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The semicolon is a powerful punctuation mark that demonstrates the importance of clarity and connection in writing.
In this quote, Abraham Lincoln highlights the significance of the semicolon as a punctuation mark that serves to connect closely related ideas while maintaining a grammatical pause. It symbolizes the notion that some concepts are best expressed together, yet they retain their individuality, showcasing the complexity and richness of language.
Themes
SemicolonPunctuationLanguageWritingClarity
In practice
Example use cases
During a writing workshop, I used a quote by Lincoln to emphasize the importance of punctuation.
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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