At one Cabinet meeting Lincoln had all his counselors but one against him. He told them he was “reminded of a revival meeting in Illinois when a fellow with a few drinks too many in him had walked up the aisle to a front pew.
“All eyes were on him, but he didn't care; he joined in the singing, droned amen at the close of prayers, and as the meeting proceeded dozed off to sleep. Before the meeting ended the pastor asked the usual question: ‘Who are on the Lord's side?’ and the congregation arose en masse.
“When the pastor asked, ‘Who are on the side of the Devil’ the dozing sleeper came to, heard part of the question, saw the parson standing, and rose to his feet to say ‘I don't exactly understand the question but I'll stand by you, parson, to the last. But it seems to me that we're in a hopeless minority.’”
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Friday, June 28, 2013
Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 18
'Fellow-citizens we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation.'
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 17
'A child is a person who is going to carry on what you have started. He is going to sit where you are sitting, and when you are gone attend to those things you think are important. You may adopt all the policies you please, but how they are carried out depends on him.
“He will assume control of your duties, states and nations. He is going to move in and take over your churches, schools, universities and corporations. The fate of humanity is in his hands.'
Abraham Lincoln
“He will assume control of your duties, states and nations. He is going to move in and take over your churches, schools, universities and corporations. The fate of humanity is in his hands.'
Abraham Lincoln
Monday, June 24, 2013
Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 16
Lincoln was roundly criticized for an abysmal lack of leadership because he appeared to dither. The fact was he refused to move until he had gathered and evaluated all the relevant facts.
His critics, by contrast, always had all the relevant facts; they always knew what to do and how to do it, and never seemed burdened with that pesky need to gather and sift.
His critics, by contrast, always had all the relevant facts; they always knew what to do and how to do it, and never seemed burdened with that pesky need to gather and sift.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 15
'Allow the president to invade a neighboring nation whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such a purpose - and you allow him to make war at pleasure.'
Congressman Abraham Lincoln
Congressman Abraham Lincoln
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 14
'I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.'
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 13
'The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who'll get me a book I haven't read.'
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 12
‘Adhere to your purpose and you will soon feel as well as you ever did. On the contrary if you falter and give up you will lose the power of keeping any resolution and will regret it all your life.'
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Friday, June 14, 2013
Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 11
During the run-up to the presidential election of 1864 the Republican Party appeared in complete disarray and the opposition rejoiced. One who was clearly disturbed about what appeared to be the impending defeat of the Republican ticket came to Lincoln about it.
The president seemed oddly unfazed by the whole thing. “It is not worth fretting about; it reminds me of an old acquaintance who having a son of a scientific turn bought him a microscope.
“The boy went around experimenting with his glass on everything that came his way. One day at the dinner table his father took up a piece of cheese. ‘Don't eat that, father,’ said the boy; ‘it is full of wrigglers.’ ‘My son,’ replied the old gentleman, taking at the same time a huge bite, ‘let 'em wriggle; I can stand it if they can.'”
The president seemed oddly unfazed by the whole thing. “It is not worth fretting about; it reminds me of an old acquaintance who having a son of a scientific turn bought him a microscope.
“The boy went around experimenting with his glass on everything that came his way. One day at the dinner table his father took up a piece of cheese. ‘Don't eat that, father,’ said the boy; ‘it is full of wrigglers.’ ‘My son,’ replied the old gentleman, taking at the same time a huge bite, ‘let 'em wriggle; I can stand it if they can.'”
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 10
After losing the Senate race to Stephen Douglas, the leader of the Democrats in the Senate, in 1858, Lincoln said he felt like the boy who stubbed his toe: 'it hurt too bad to laugh and he was too big to cry.'
Monday, June 10, 2013
Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 9
'A capacity and taste for reading gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others. It is the key or one of the keys to the already solved problems. And not only so. It gives a relish and facility for successfully pursuing the yet unsolved ones.'
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 8
'Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it.'
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 7
Lincoln once told the story of the sick man in Illinois ‘who was told he probably hadn’t many days longer to live, and he ought to make his peace with any enemies he might have.
He said the man he hated worst of all was a fellow named Brown in the next village. So Brown was sent for, and when he came the sick man began to say, in a voice as meek as Moses’, that he wanted to die at peace with all his fellow creatures, and he hoped he and Brown could now shake hands and bury all their enmity.
The scene was becoming altogether too pathetic for Brown who had to get out his handkerchief and wipe the gathering tears from his eyes. After a parting that would have softened the heart of a grindstone, Brown had about reached the room door when the sick man rose up on his elbow and called out to him: “But see here, Brown, if I should happen to get well, mind, the old grudge stands.”’
He said the man he hated worst of all was a fellow named Brown in the next village. So Brown was sent for, and when he came the sick man began to say, in a voice as meek as Moses’, that he wanted to die at peace with all his fellow creatures, and he hoped he and Brown could now shake hands and bury all their enmity.
The scene was becoming altogether too pathetic for Brown who had to get out his handkerchief and wipe the gathering tears from his eyes. After a parting that would have softened the heart of a grindstone, Brown had about reached the room door when the sick man rose up on his elbow and called out to him: “But see here, Brown, if I should happen to get well, mind, the old grudge stands.”’
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 6
'Fellow citizens: I have been solicited by many friends to become a candidate for the Legislature. My politics are short and sweet like the old woman's dance. I am in favor of the national bank; I am in favor of the internal improvement system and a high protective tariff.
'These are my sentiments and political principles. If elected I shall be thankful; if not it will all be just the same.'
- Abraham Lincoln [aged 23]
'These are my sentiments and political principles. If elected I shall be thankful; if not it will all be just the same.'
- Abraham Lincoln [aged 23]
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 5
After relieving General George McClellan of command of the Army of the Potomac Lincoln was asked what he would reply to McClellan's earlier advice on how to carry on the affairs of the nation. And Lincoln answered: 'nothing - but it makes me think of the man whose horse kicked up and stuck his foot through the stirrup. The man said to the horse, 'if you're going to get on I'm going to get off.''’
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