The Four Ages of Man
He with body waged a fight,
But body won; it walks upright.
Then he struggled with the heart;
Innocence and peace depart.
Then he struggled with the mind;
His proud heart he left behind.
Now his wars on God begin;
At stroke of midnight God shall win.
~ W. B. Yeats
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
The Secret of a Good Sermon
The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, then having the two as close together as possible.
~ George Burns
~ George Burns
Monday, May 29, 2006
Christianity outside the Church
Christianity outside the Church
D.L. Moody once called on a leading citizen in Chicago to persuade him to accept Christ. They were seated in the man’s parlor. It was winter and coal was burning in the fireplace. The man objected that he could be just as good a Christian outside the church as in it. Moody said nothing, but stepped to the fireplace, took the tongs, picked a blazing coal from the fire and set it off by itself. In silence the two watched it smolder and go out. “I see,” said the man.
~ The Interpreter’s Bible
D.L. Moody once called on a leading citizen in Chicago to persuade him to accept Christ. They were seated in the man’s parlor. It was winter and coal was burning in the fireplace. The man objected that he could be just as good a Christian outside the church as in it. Moody said nothing, but stepped to the fireplace, took the tongs, picked a blazing coal from the fire and set it off by itself. In silence the two watched it smolder and go out. “I see,” said the man.
~ The Interpreter’s Bible
The Irresistible Influence of the Holy Spirit
The Irresistible Influence of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit warms us and melts our cold, cold hearts. Recently I ran across a parable that makes the point: Once upon a time there was a piece of iron, which was very strong and very hard. Many attempts had been made to break it, but all had failed.
“I’ll master it,” said the axe… and his blows fell heavily upon the piece of iron, but every blow only made the axe’s edge more blunt, until it finally ceased to strike and gave up in frustration.
“Leave it to me,” said the saw… and it worked back and forth on the iron’s surface until its jagged teeth were all worn and broken. Then in despair, the saw quit trying and fell to the side.
“Ah!” said the hammer, “I knew you two wouldn’t succeed. I’ll show you how to do this!” But at the first fierce blow, off flew its head and the piece of iron remained just as before, proud and hard and unchanged.
“Shall I try?” asked the small soft flame. “Forget it,” everyone else said. “What can you do? You’re too small and you have no strength.” But the small soft flame curled around the piece of iron, embraced it… and never left it until it melted under its warm irresistible influence.
There’s a sermon there somewhere. Perhaps it means that God’s way is not the way of force but love. God’s way is not to break hearts but to melt them. Perhaps it means that that is our calling – to melt hearts… under the irresistible warmth of God’s gracious love.
~ James W. Moore, What Do You Do With Such A Gift?
The Holy Spirit warms us and melts our cold, cold hearts. Recently I ran across a parable that makes the point: Once upon a time there was a piece of iron, which was very strong and very hard. Many attempts had been made to break it, but all had failed.
“I’ll master it,” said the axe… and his blows fell heavily upon the piece of iron, but every blow only made the axe’s edge more blunt, until it finally ceased to strike and gave up in frustration.
“Leave it to me,” said the saw… and it worked back and forth on the iron’s surface until its jagged teeth were all worn and broken. Then in despair, the saw quit trying and fell to the side.
“Ah!” said the hammer, “I knew you two wouldn’t succeed. I’ll show you how to do this!” But at the first fierce blow, off flew its head and the piece of iron remained just as before, proud and hard and unchanged.
“Shall I try?” asked the small soft flame. “Forget it,” everyone else said. “What can you do? You’re too small and you have no strength.” But the small soft flame curled around the piece of iron, embraced it… and never left it until it melted under its warm irresistible influence.
There’s a sermon there somewhere. Perhaps it means that God’s way is not the way of force but love. God’s way is not to break hearts but to melt them. Perhaps it means that that is our calling – to melt hearts… under the irresistible warmth of God’s gracious love.
~ James W. Moore, What Do You Do With Such A Gift?
Shaken from Our Sanctuaries
Shaken from Our Sanctuaries
A few years ago, AT&T had a major snafu in New York City. They had an agreement with the city that, when electrical demand peaked, AT&T would switch to their backup generators. One day they did that, and something went wrong. When they switched over, the resulting power surge blew a number of rectifiers. Not only did that knock out phone service in the area, it also disrupted communications for air controllers at Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark airports. Over a thousand flights were affected.
Usually, technicians would fix that kind of blackout quickly. However, they didn't respond quickly on that particular occasion. While alarm bells rang unheard, the technicians were--believe it or not--attending a training session on how to handle an emergency.
I worry that something like that often happens in the church. Christ has called us to serve the world for which he died. Worship is that time when we strengthen our spirits for service to the world. When worship becomes an end in itself, we are not being what Christ has called us to be. We need to be shaken from our sanctuaries and into the streets.
~ King Duncan, Collected Works, www.Sermons.com, 2006
A few years ago, AT&T had a major snafu in New York City. They had an agreement with the city that, when electrical demand peaked, AT&T would switch to their backup generators. One day they did that, and something went wrong. When they switched over, the resulting power surge blew a number of rectifiers. Not only did that knock out phone service in the area, it also disrupted communications for air controllers at Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark airports. Over a thousand flights were affected.
Usually, technicians would fix that kind of blackout quickly. However, they didn't respond quickly on that particular occasion. While alarm bells rang unheard, the technicians were--believe it or not--attending a training session on how to handle an emergency.
I worry that something like that often happens in the church. Christ has called us to serve the world for which he died. Worship is that time when we strengthen our spirits for service to the world. When worship becomes an end in itself, we are not being what Christ has called us to be. We need to be shaken from our sanctuaries and into the streets.
~ King Duncan, Collected Works, www.Sermons.com, 2006
What Is Your Other Plan?
What Is Your Other Plan?
Erasmus, the famous Renaissance scholar, once told a classic story which was designed to emphasize how important it is that we take up the torch of Christ’s ministry with great commitment. In the story, Jesus returns to heaven after His time on earth. The angels gather around Him to learn what all happened during His days on earth. Jesus tells them of the miracles, His teachings, His death on the cross, and His resurrection.
When He finishes his story, Michael the Archangel asks Jesus, “But what happens now?”
Jesus answers, “I have left behind eleven faithful disciples and a handful of men and women who have faithfully followed me. They will declare My message and express My love. These faithful people will build My church.”
“But,” responds Michael, “What if these people fail? What then is Your other plan?”
And Jesus answers, “I have no other plan!”
Jesus is counting on you and you and you and me. But the good news is, we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is here to melt us, mold us, fill us, and use us.
~ James W. Moore, Sermon: What Do You Do With Such A Gift?
Erasmus, the famous Renaissance scholar, once told a classic story which was designed to emphasize how important it is that we take up the torch of Christ’s ministry with great commitment. In the story, Jesus returns to heaven after His time on earth. The angels gather around Him to learn what all happened during His days on earth. Jesus tells them of the miracles, His teachings, His death on the cross, and His resurrection.
When He finishes his story, Michael the Archangel asks Jesus, “But what happens now?”
Jesus answers, “I have left behind eleven faithful disciples and a handful of men and women who have faithfully followed me. They will declare My message and express My love. These faithful people will build My church.”
“But,” responds Michael, “What if these people fail? What then is Your other plan?”
And Jesus answers, “I have no other plan!”
Jesus is counting on you and you and you and me. But the good news is, we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is here to melt us, mold us, fill us, and use us.
~ James W. Moore, Sermon: What Do You Do With Such A Gift?
Sunday, May 28, 2006
The Train of Life
TRAIN OF LIFE
Some folks ride the train of life
Looking out the rear,
Watching miles of life roll by,
And marking every year.
They sit in sad remembrance,
Of wasted days gone by,
And curse their life for what it was,
And hang their head and cry.
But I don't concern myself with that,
I took a different vent,
I look forward to what life holds,
And not what has been spent.
So strap me to the engine,
As securely as I can be,
I want to be out on the front,
To see what I can see.
I want to feel the winds of change,
Blowing in my face,
I want to see what life unfolds,
As I move from place to place.
I want to see what's coming up,
Not looking at the past,
Life's too short for yesterdays,
It moves along too fast.
So if the ride gets bumpy,
While you are looking back,
Go up front, and you may find,
Your life has jumped the track.
It's all right to remember,
That's part of history,
But up front's where it's happening,
There's so much mystery.
The enjoyment of living,
Is not where we have been,
It's looking ever forward,
To another year and ten.
It's searching all the byways,
Never should you refrain,
For if you want to live your life,
You gotta drive the train!
~ Author Unknown
Some folks ride the train of life
Looking out the rear,
Watching miles of life roll by,
And marking every year.
They sit in sad remembrance,
Of wasted days gone by,
And curse their life for what it was,
And hang their head and cry.
But I don't concern myself with that,
I took a different vent,
I look forward to what life holds,
And not what has been spent.
So strap me to the engine,
As securely as I can be,
I want to be out on the front,
To see what I can see.
I want to feel the winds of change,
Blowing in my face,
I want to see what life unfolds,
As I move from place to place.
I want to see what's coming up,
Not looking at the past,
Life's too short for yesterdays,
It moves along too fast.
So if the ride gets bumpy,
While you are looking back,
Go up front, and you may find,
Your life has jumped the track.
It's all right to remember,
That's part of history,
But up front's where it's happening,
There's so much mystery.
The enjoyment of living,
Is not where we have been,
It's looking ever forward,
To another year and ten.
It's searching all the byways,
Never should you refrain,
For if you want to live your life,
You gotta drive the train!
~ Author Unknown
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
The Importance of the Father's Faith
If your kids see you putting other things ahead of God, they will become discouraged and disillusioned, like a young Jewish boy who once lived in Germany.
His father was a successful merchant, and the family practiced their Jewish faith. But then they moved to another German city, and the boy's father announced that they would no longer attend synagogue. They were going to join the Lutheran church.
The boy was very surprised and asked his father why the family was joining the Lutheran church. His father's answer was something like, "For business reasons. There are so many Lutherans in this town that I can make good business contacts at the Lutheran church. It will be good for business."
That boy, who had a deep interest in religion, became so disillusioned with his father that something died within him. He said to himself, 'My father has no real convictions." The incident helped to turn him against religion with a vengeance.
That young boy later moved to England and began to write. His name was Karl Marx. As the father of communism he wrote the "Communist Manifesto," in which he called religion "the opiate of the masses."
His father was a successful merchant, and the family practiced their Jewish faith. But then they moved to another German city, and the boy's father announced that they would no longer attend synagogue. They were going to join the Lutheran church.
The boy was very surprised and asked his father why the family was joining the Lutheran church. His father's answer was something like, "For business reasons. There are so many Lutherans in this town that I can make good business contacts at the Lutheran church. It will be good for business."
That boy, who had a deep interest in religion, became so disillusioned with his father that something died within him. He said to himself, 'My father has no real convictions." The incident helped to turn him against religion with a vengeance.
That young boy later moved to England and began to write. His name was Karl Marx. As the father of communism he wrote the "Communist Manifesto," in which he called religion "the opiate of the masses."
Futility - Mark Twain
A myriad of men are born; they labor and sweat and struggle;...they squabble and scold and fight; they scramble for little mean advantages over each other; age creeps upon them; infirmities follow;
... those they love are taken from them, and the joy of life is turned to aching grief.
It (the release) comes at last--the only unpoisoned gift earth ever had for them--and they vanish from a world where they were of no consequence, ... a world which will lament them a day and forget them forever.
~ Mark Twain shortly before his death
(Jesus: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." ~ John 10:10)
... those they love are taken from them, and the joy of life is turned to aching grief.
It (the release) comes at last--the only unpoisoned gift earth ever had for them--and they vanish from a world where they were of no consequence, ... a world which will lament them a day and forget them forever.
~ Mark Twain shortly before his death
(Jesus: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." ~ John 10:10)
Larger, Stronger, Quieter Life
The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.
~ C.S. Lewis
~ C.S. Lewis
True Friendship
"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity."
~ George Washington
~ George Washington
Intellectual vs. Moral Ability
The fact that man knows right from wrong proves his intellectual superiority to other creatures; but the fact that he can do wrong proves his moral inferiority to any creature that cannot.
~ Mark Twain
Google quote of the day
~ Mark Twain
Google quote of the day
Sunday, May 21, 2006
The Martyrdom of the Heart and the Will
God does not require of us the martyrdom of the body; he requires only the martyrdom of the heart and the will.
~ St. Jean-Baptiste Marie Vianney
~ St. Jean-Baptiste Marie Vianney
Humility, Purity, Honesty, and Simplicity
"If I were to say that God sent me, I shall be condemned, but God really did send me."
~ Joan of Arc
http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/
special/131christians/joanofarc.html
~ Joan of Arc
http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/
special/131christians/joanofarc.html
The dauphin Charles turned her over to churchmen from the University of Poitiers. Weeks of doubt and indecision followed while she was questioned, but finally her examiners found "only humility, purity, honesty, and simplicity." Soon she was helping 4,000 troops to relieve the besieged city of Orleans. ...
In a few months, the town of Reims was recaptured, and the dauphin was officially crowned king of France (Reims was the traditional city for coronation). ... On a sortie the next year, the 18-year-old soldier was captured by the English, who put her on ecclesiastical trial in Rouen.
Joan was imprisoned for nearly five months, repeatedly questioned about her views, and finally charged on 70 counts of heresy. ...
At 9 a.m. on May 30, 1431, 19-year-old Joan walked toward the market square. She knelt and prayed for her enemies, then mounted the prepared pyre. As the flames leapt upward, Joan asked for a cross to be held before her. Gazing upon it, her final word was "Jesus."
It would be 25 years before a church commission overturned the charges against her and declared her innocent. In 1920 Joan-—remembered for her heroism and devotion far more than her military and political conquests—-was canonized a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.
Friday, May 19, 2006
He knew far more than she realized
Right after World War II, a U.S. Army officer and his wife were stationed in Japan. That country had been devastated by the war. The post-war economy was in shambles. Unemployment approached 60%. People came to the Army wife's door daily looking for work.
One man said that he could do wonders for her garden if she would only give him a chance. So, for the first time in her life, this young Army wife hired a gardener. He spoke no English, but the wife, through sign language and pencil and paper gave him instructions about where to plant, prune, and pamper her garden. He listened politely and followed her instructions exactly. The garden emerged as the finest in the neighborhood.
When she finally realized that her new gardener knew far more about the matter than she, the wife stopped giving him directions and let him freely care for the garden. It was magnificent.
Then one day the gardener came with an interpreter who expressed the appreciation but the regrets of the gardener. "He will no longer be able to care for your garden. He must leave."
The wife expressed her regrets and thanked him through the interpreter for making hers such a fine garden. Out of politeness, she asked the interpreter, "Where is he going?"
The interpreter replied that the gardener was returning to his old job as the Professor of Horticulture at the University of Tokyo.
illustrations@clergy.net
for Ascension Sunday
Acts 1:1-11 or Lk 24:44-53 - Why Do You Standing Looking Into the Sky?
One man said that he could do wonders for her garden if she would only give him a chance. So, for the first time in her life, this young Army wife hired a gardener. He spoke no English, but the wife, through sign language and pencil and paper gave him instructions about where to plant, prune, and pamper her garden. He listened politely and followed her instructions exactly. The garden emerged as the finest in the neighborhood.
When she finally realized that her new gardener knew far more about the matter than she, the wife stopped giving him directions and let him freely care for the garden. It was magnificent.
Then one day the gardener came with an interpreter who expressed the appreciation but the regrets of the gardener. "He will no longer be able to care for your garden. He must leave."
The wife expressed her regrets and thanked him through the interpreter for making hers such a fine garden. Out of politeness, she asked the interpreter, "Where is he going?"
The interpreter replied that the gardener was returning to his old job as the Professor of Horticulture at the University of Tokyo.
illustrations@clergy.net
for Ascension Sunday
Acts 1:1-11 or Lk 24:44-53 - Why Do You Standing Looking Into the Sky?
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
I Am the One Who Jesus Loves
I Am the One Who Jesus Loves
Author and speaker Brennan Manning came up with a slogan. The slogan is, "I am the one Jesus loves." It sounds a little arrogant doesn't it? But he is actually quoting Scripture. Jesus' closest friend on earth, the disciple named John, is identified in the Gospels as "the one Jesus loved." Manning said, "If John were to be asked, 'What is your primary identity in life?' he would not reply, 'I am a disciple, an apostle, an evangelist, an author of one of the four Gospels,' but rather, 'I am the one Jesus loves.'"
What would it mean, I ask myself, if I too came to the place where I saw my primary identity in life as "the one Jesus loves"? How differently would I view myself at the end of a day? Sociologists have a theory of the looking-glass self: you become what the most important person in your life (wife, father, boss, etc.) thinks you are. How would my life change if I truly believed the Bible's astounding words about God's love for me, if I looked in the mirror and saw what God sees?
Brennan Manning tells the story of an Irish priest who, on a walking tour of a rural parish, sees an old peasant kneeling by the side of the road, praying. Impressed, the priest says to the man, "You must be very close to God." The peasant looks up from his prayers, thinks a moment, and then smiles, "Yes, he's very fond of me."
Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com Adapted from Phillip Yancey, What's So Amazing about Grace? [pp. 68-69]
___________________________
Love: Greater Than Faith or Hope
In a beautiful sermon entitled "The Power of Love," Paul Tillich, one of the great theological minds of the twentieth century, writes of a Swedish woman who aided prisoners and orphans during the first World War. She ended up in a concentration camp herself because she gave aid and comfort. Tillich writes, "It is a rare gift to meet a human being in whom love—this means God–is so overwhelmingly manifest. It undercuts theological arrogance as well as pious isolation. It is more than justice and greater than faith or hope. It is the very presence of God in the form of a human being. For God is love. In every moment of genuine love we are dwelling in God and God in us."
Rev. Patricia de Jong, "Partners and Friends"
__________________________
Author and speaker Brennan Manning came up with a slogan. The slogan is, "I am the one Jesus loves." It sounds a little arrogant doesn't it? But he is actually quoting Scripture. Jesus' closest friend on earth, the disciple named John, is identified in the Gospels as "the one Jesus loved." Manning said, "If John were to be asked, 'What is your primary identity in life?' he would not reply, 'I am a disciple, an apostle, an evangelist, an author of one of the four Gospels,' but rather, 'I am the one Jesus loves.'"
What would it mean, I ask myself, if I too came to the place where I saw my primary identity in life as "the one Jesus loves"? How differently would I view myself at the end of a day? Sociologists have a theory of the looking-glass self: you become what the most important person in your life (wife, father, boss, etc.) thinks you are. How would my life change if I truly believed the Bible's astounding words about God's love for me, if I looked in the mirror and saw what God sees?
Brennan Manning tells the story of an Irish priest who, on a walking tour of a rural parish, sees an old peasant kneeling by the side of the road, praying. Impressed, the priest says to the man, "You must be very close to God." The peasant looks up from his prayers, thinks a moment, and then smiles, "Yes, he's very fond of me."
Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com Adapted from Phillip Yancey, What's So Amazing about Grace? [pp. 68-69]
___________________________
Love: Greater Than Faith or Hope
In a beautiful sermon entitled "The Power of Love," Paul Tillich, one of the great theological minds of the twentieth century, writes of a Swedish woman who aided prisoners and orphans during the first World War. She ended up in a concentration camp herself because she gave aid and comfort. Tillich writes, "It is a rare gift to meet a human being in whom love—this means God–is so overwhelmingly manifest. It undercuts theological arrogance as well as pious isolation. It is more than justice and greater than faith or hope. It is the very presence of God in the form of a human being. For God is love. In every moment of genuine love we are dwelling in God and God in us."
Rev. Patricia de Jong, "Partners and Friends"
__________________________
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Three Stages of Truth
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
~ Arthur Schopenhauer
Google Quote of the Day
~ Arthur Schopenhauer
Google Quote of the Day
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Original Ideas
"Don't worry about people stealing an idea. If it's original, you will have to ram it down their throats."
~ Howard Aiken
Google Quote of the Day
~ Howard Aiken
Google Quote of the Day
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Fear is Nothing but a Barrier
"If you want to do something, do it. Fear is nothing but a barrier."
~ Tina Hammer
~ Tina Hammer
Dancing at the Party
"Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we might as well dance!"
~ author unknown
~ author unknown
How SJ Leaders Give Appreciation
quote from Please Understand Me II
by David Keirsey
by David Keirsey
Given that appreciation of their subordinates' contributions is a powerful tool for any leader, how do Guardian [SJ] leaders show their appreciation? How do they give strokes? ...
Since SJs must always earn their keep, including the earning of appreciation, only those employees who have been most hard-working should be appreciated. Otherwise (the unconscious belief dictates) employees might become less industrious. Giving credit where credit isn't most deserved would be bad for morale; therefore, only the winner can receive the grand prize. Those in second and third place may receive a blue and green ribbon, but no other player gets anything.
Traditionalist leaders would do well to examine their implicit belief that only the truly deserving may be shown appreciation, and that these can be only the outstanding few. To be most effective, SJ leaders must train themselves to pay attention to the least achievement and deliberately reward those achievements just because they were achieved. They need to experiment with finding something, no matter how trifling, the least productive employee has contributed, and to express appreciation for that.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Why Follow Jesus?
"I know I would live a worse life without him, and I would always be lonely."
~ Rev. Dr. Gilbert W. Bowen
~ Rev. Dr. Gilbert W. Bowen
Monday, May 01, 2006
Abraham Lincoln Quotes
The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.
Abraham Lincoln
"A drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall." So with men. If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey which catches his heart, which, say what he will, is the highroad to his reason.
Abraham Lincoln
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
Abraham Lincoln
Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.
Abraham Lincoln
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.
Abraham Lincoln
He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.
Abraham Lincoln
I care not much for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.
Abraham Lincoln
If you call a tail a leg, how many legs has a dog? Five? No, calling a tail a leg don't make it a leg.
Abraham Lincoln
If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will.
Abraham Lincoln
I will prepare and some day my chance will come.
Abraham Lincoln
I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day.
Abraham Lincoln
I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day.
Abraham Lincoln
Important principles may, and must, be inflexible.
Abraham Lincoln
It is the eternal struggle between these two principles - right and wrong. They are the two principles that have stood face to face from the beginning of time and will ever continue to struggle. It is the same spirit that says, "You work and toil and earn bread, and I'll eat it."
Abraham Lincoln
Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.
Abraham Lincoln
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
Abraham Lincoln
Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves.
Abraham Lincoln
The highest art is always the most religious, and the greatest artist is always a devout person.
Abraham Lincoln
The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's 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 Lincoln
The time comes upon every public man when it is best for him to keep his lips closed.
Abraham Lincoln
Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.
Abraham Lincoln
To ease another's heartache is to forget one's own.
Abraham Lincoln
To give victory to the right, not bloody bullets, but peaceful ballots only, are necessary.
Abraham Lincoln
Towering genius disdains a beaten path. It seeks regions hitherto unexplored.
Abraham Lincoln
We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it.
Abraham Lincoln
What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself.
Abraham Lincoln
When I am getting ready to reason with a man, I spend one-third of my time thinking about myself and what I am going to say and two-thirds about him and what he is going to say.
Abraham Lincoln
When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion.
Abraham Lincoln
With Malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds.
Abraham Lincoln
You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
Abraham Lincoln
You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.
Abraham Lincoln
You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.
Abraham Lincoln
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
Abraham Lincoln
You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
"A drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall." So with men. If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey which catches his heart, which, say what he will, is the highroad to his reason.
Abraham Lincoln
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
Abraham Lincoln
Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.
Abraham Lincoln
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.
Abraham Lincoln
He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.
Abraham Lincoln
I care not much for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.
Abraham Lincoln
If you call a tail a leg, how many legs has a dog? Five? No, calling a tail a leg don't make it a leg.
Abraham Lincoln
If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will.
Abraham Lincoln
I will prepare and some day my chance will come.
Abraham Lincoln
I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day.
Abraham Lincoln
I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day.
Abraham Lincoln
Important principles may, and must, be inflexible.
Abraham Lincoln
It is the eternal struggle between these two principles - right and wrong. They are the two principles that have stood face to face from the beginning of time and will ever continue to struggle. It is the same spirit that says, "You work and toil and earn bread, and I'll eat it."
Abraham Lincoln
Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.
Abraham Lincoln
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
Abraham Lincoln
Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves.
Abraham Lincoln
The highest art is always the most religious, and the greatest artist is always a devout person.
Abraham Lincoln
The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's 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 Lincoln
The time comes upon every public man when it is best for him to keep his lips closed.
Abraham Lincoln
Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.
Abraham Lincoln
To ease another's heartache is to forget one's own.
Abraham Lincoln
To give victory to the right, not bloody bullets, but peaceful ballots only, are necessary.
Abraham Lincoln
Towering genius disdains a beaten path. It seeks regions hitherto unexplored.
Abraham Lincoln
We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it.
Abraham Lincoln
What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself.
Abraham Lincoln
When I am getting ready to reason with a man, I spend one-third of my time thinking about myself and what I am going to say and two-thirds about him and what he is going to say.
Abraham Lincoln
When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion.
Abraham Lincoln
With Malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds.
Abraham Lincoln
You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
Abraham Lincoln
You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.
Abraham Lincoln
You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.
Abraham Lincoln
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
Abraham Lincoln
You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.
Abraham Lincoln
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