Tuesday, March 25, 2008

For What It's Worth

"You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the wage-earner by pulling down the wage-payer. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn. You cannot build character and courage by taking away a person's initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves." ~~ Abraham Lincoln, 1861
In an age when too many people are unashamed to show their outstretched palms expecting us to support their dreams and goals by handing over money we've earned by the sweat of our brows, money they don't want to take the time to earn as they are too busy being 'important' in their own eyes I wish we had more examples like Abraham Lincoln around, a man who understood the value and satisfaction of pulling one's own weight.

For all of you out there who 'know', my hat's off to you. Keep it up.

8 comments:

Wandering Coyote said...

So, if I may be so bold, whom do you believe is not pulling his/her weight in reference to this post?

Cherie said...

A couple of people in my personal life - not here in Oregon - who shall remain nameless. But trust me, if I told the tale you would join me in clucking a few disgusted tsk tsks, WC.

Mike S said...

What do you expect in a country run by a Dumbya who's NEVER had to pull ANY weight, let alone deal with his failures? Anyone wanting to have it all handed to them can point to most of today's 'leaders' and say, "They ride free, why not me?"

Cherie said...

"Anyone wanting to have it all handed to them can point to most of today's 'leaders' and say, "They ride free, why not me?"'

You said it a lot fewer words than I did, Mike. Nail on the head - again. It really is no wonder, isn't it.

"You cannot build character and courage by taking away a person's initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves." The evidence that this ethic has been pretty much discarded for decades is all around us in young and old and it's frustrating.

Sandy said...

I love this quote Cherie, I've said it before many meetings to ground us before making any decision. I couldn't agree with you more. There's plenty out there that think they deserve the very best without working for it. Boy, I could tell you some stories! But it's the few that ruin it for those that do work hard and give up more than their fair share to make sure the hurt don't hurt more. These people sacrifice their own lives to help someone else. I could give you some of those stories too!

Cherie said...

How I would enjoy and learn from sitting down with you over a meal and hearing your stories - all of them. You have such insight from your life experiences, Sandy. Thanks for your comments here.

tshsmom said...

This topic has been on my mind a lot lately.
It's bad enough when friends and family members are living off "the system", but what really enrages me is all the huge corporations we're subsidizing!

Cherie said...

Tshs: YES, the corporations we subsidize gets my blood boiling. How many yachts and swimming pools, mansions and exotic trips have you and I paid for for these fat cats. Urrgh.

Your mind and my mind - similar frustrations.