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
Hypocrite: The man who murdered his parents, and then pleaded for mercy on the grounds that he was an orphan.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote humorously highlights the absurdity of hypocrisy.
In this quote, Abraham Lincoln uses satire to illustrate the concept of hypocrisy, where someone commits a wrong act and then seeks sympathy for their own situation. The imagery of a man who kills his parents and then claims orphanhood to elicit pity serves as a powerful critique of individuals who fail to take responsibility for their actions while simultaneously seeking compassion.
Themes
HypocrisyIronySatireResponsibilityCompassion
In practice
Example use cases
Introducing a discussion on moral integrity during a debate.
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.
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
Humorists can never start to take themselves seriously. It's literary suicide.
Erma BombeckRead
If you want someone to be ignored then build a life-size bronze statue of them and stick it in the middle of town. It doesn't matter how great you were, it'll always take an unfunny drunk with climbing skills to make people notice you.
BanksyRead
Why do they bother saying "raw sewage"? Do some people actually cook that stuff?
George CarlinRead
The only thing nicer than a phone that didn't ring all the time (or indeed at all) was six phones that didn't ring all the time (or indeed at all).
Douglas AdamsRead
If the Martians ever find out how human beings think, they'll kill themselves laughing.
Albert EllisRead
My roommate says, "I'm going to take a shower and shave. Does anyone need to use the bathroom?" It's like some weird quiz where he reveals the answer first.
Mitch HedbergRead