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.
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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.
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