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
If at any time all labour should cease, and all existing provisions be equally divided among the people, at the end of a single year there could scarcely be one human being left alive--all would have perished by want of subsistence.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the necessity of labor and production for survival and societal functioning.
Abraham Lincoln's quote illustrates the critical role of work and resources in human existence. He suggests that if all labor were to stop and resources were equally shared, society would quickly collapse, highlighting the interdependence of productivity and the sustenance of life. It serves as a reminder that hard work and creativity are essential for prosperity and survival, and that an equitable distribution of resources, without corresponding effort, can lead to dire consequences.
Themes
LaborSubsistenceSurvivalResourcesSociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the importance of work during a community meeting.
More from Abraham Lincoln
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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.
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