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
There is really no crisis except an artificial one...If the great American people will only keep their temper, on both sides of the line, the trouble will come to an end.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A genuine crisis only exists when it is manufactured by people's reactions. Remaining calm can help resolve conflicts.
Abraham Lincoln emphasizes that many perceived crises are not genuine but rather constructed by people's fears and reactions. He urges the American people to maintain their composure and rationality, suggesting that a calm dialogue will lead to the resolution of troubles, rather than escalating them through anger and division.
Themes
CrisisCalmLeadershipDialogueResolution
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote during a team meeting to encourage calm and collaborative problem-solving.
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.
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
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Begin with praise and honest appreciation. Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders. Make the fault easy to correct. Make the other person happy about doing what you suggest.
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