A Republican of principle: Abraham Lincoln and some wise words for Democrats - and Republicans

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

"Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it."

Abraham Lincoln, another U.S. President who took office during a deeply troubled time in our country's history said both quotations above. Lincoln's thought combined pragmatism and idealism, as all the thought I admire most does. The first remark above reflects the pragmatist, the person who understands that it is what somebody does with power that tells us about the content of her or his character. The second remark reflects idealism in its commitment to the right, to principle. But it also reflects pragmatism because Lincoln realized that doing the right thing as one understands it takes daring. Part of the daring comes in having sufficient faith in yourself that in a difficult time and under complicated circumstances you can identify your duty correctly. Part of the daring comes in fulfilling one's duty as one understands it even if that means risking opprobrium. Many people from both political parties take the view that ends justify means, that might makes right, that winning vindicates any tactic. I do not take that view.

Or as Lincoln put it:

“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.”

Comments

[purplefinn]

Heidi Li, I come to you for inspiration and practical actions. You don't disappoint!

[democraticjack]

Strange how that Lincoln quote hit me. I love the idea of the first two sentences but the last two sound a bit like "if you are not part of the solution; you are part of the problem", which is too absolute for me. Who chooses "right"? Interesting. You are going to make me start reading non-fiction, Heidi. Watch out world!