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
The very spot where grew the bread that formed my bones, I see. How strange, old field, on thee to tread, and feel I'm part of thee.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects a deep connection to the land and its role in shaping one's identity.
Abraham Lincoln's quote speaks to the profound relationship between a person and the land from which they come. It emphasizes how nature and our surroundings contribute to our identity and physical being, illustrating the idea that we are inextricably linked to the earth that nurtures us. The 'old field' symbolizes both a literal and metaphorical grounding, acknowledging the history and sustenance that the land provides.
Themes
LandIdentityNatureConnectionSustenance
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech emphasizing roots and heritage.
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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