To read in the Bible, as the word of God himself, that "In…
![“To read in the Bible, as the word of God himself, that "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, ["] and to preach there-from that, "In the sweat of other mans faces shalt thou eat bread," to my mind can scarcely be reconciled with honest sincerity.” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/6de/abraham-lincoln-88_bible_to-read-in-the-bible-as-the-word-of-god_1274886.png)
“To read in the Bible, as the word of God himself, that "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, ["] and to preach there-from that, "In the sweat of other mans faces shalt thou eat bread," to my mind can scarcely be reconciled with honest sincerity.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Lincoln critiques the hypocrisy of using religious authority to justify exploitation, highlighting a conflict between moral preaching and personal gain.
In simple terms: He sees a contradiction in preaching honesty while profiting from others' labor.
Key Takeaway
Beware of using faith to excuse exploitation.
Themes
hypocrisy
religion
ethics
justice
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- political speeches
- religious sermons
- labor negotiations
- public debates
Key Concepts
Moral inconsistency
exploitation
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile personal benefit with moral preaching?
- When does religious rhetoric become a tool for exploitation?
A Different Perspective
Religious arguments can be misused to mask self‑interest.