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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of aligning with moral truth rather than justifying one's own actions as righteous.
Abraham Lincoln's quote reflects his deep commitment to moral integrity and the pursuit of righteousness. It suggests that rather than worrying about whether one's cause is supported by God, the focus should be on ensuring that one's actions and beliefs align with what is inherently right and just, emphasizing the idea that divine truth is objective and unchanging, regardless of human interpretations or justifications.
Themes
MoralityRighteousnessIntegrityTruthFaith
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a discussion about ethical leadership.
More from Abraham Lincoln
All quotes βGive 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
The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty. Plainly, the sheep and the wolf are not agreed upon a definition of liberty.
Abraham LincolnRead
Similar quotes
[Religion is] the attempt to be in harmony with an unseen order of things.
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Faith becomes lame, when it ventures into matters pertaining to reason!
Mahatma GandhiRead
Any plan conceived in moderation must fail when the circumstances are set in extremes.
Klemens Von MetternichRead
The fault with all religions like Christianity is that they have one set of rules for all. But Hindu religion is suited to all grades of religious aspiration and progress. It contains all the ideals in their perfect form. For example, the ideal of Shanta or blessedness is to be found in Vasishtha; that of love in Krishna; that of duty in Rama and Sita; and that of intellect in Shukadeva. Study the characters of these and of other ideal men. Adopt one which suits you best.
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I was not created to be occupied by eating delicious foods like tied up cattle.
Ali Ibn Abi TalibRead
A human being in perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind and never to allow passion or a transitory desire to disturb his tranquility.
Mary Wollstonecraft ShelleyRead