Lincoln's Words?
Another message making the rounds contains some bons mot that are being ascribed to Abraham Lincoln, along with an exhortation to president Obama to take notice of words spoken by his hero. Actually, it seems that these words were actually written by a Presbyterian minister named William J. H. Boetcker in a pamphlet distributed in 1942. No matter, since the words are what they are, and deserve some rumination by their own lights. Truer words have never been spoken, IMHO.1. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
2. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong
3. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
4. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
5. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.
6. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
7. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
8. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
9. You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
10 You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not do for themselves.