Editor, Times-Union: Below you will find an article written by Abraham Lincoln. I believe all politicians would do well to read and give serious thought to his words. Expecially in this election year. This is as relative today as it was when he wrote it. 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 man’s initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves. Abraham Lincoln
This article was published in the Elks 802 bulletin. Thanks to Exalted Ruler Linda Olinger.
Esther R. Edwards Warsaw
Editor’s Note: The “Ten Points” appear every Feb. 12 in newspaper ads honoring Abraham Lincoln. In fact, these aphorisms are from the pen of Reverend William John Henry Boetcker (1873-1962). Apparently a pamphlet containing Boetcker’s “Ten Points,” published in 1916, also contained quotes by Lincoln on the reverse side. Over time, all of the material was erroneously attributed to Lincoln.
