Abraham lincoln Quote by A.J. Jacobs
““The Bible is right: A deluge of images does encourage idolatry. Look at the cults of personality in America today. Look at Hollywood. Look at Washington. I'd like to see the next presidential race be run according to Second Commandment principles. No commercials. A radio-only debate. We need an ugly president. I know we're missing out on some potential Abe Lincolns because they'd look gawky and gangly on TV.””
About This Quote
The quote warns that visual media fuels idolization of personalities, suggesting a return to less image‑driven politics.
In simple terms: Images create idols; avoid them in politics.
Key Takeaway
Promote substance over image.
Themes
media influence
politics
idolatry
culture
leadership
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
political
cautionary
When to use this quote
- political campaigns
- media regulation
- public discourse
- election debates
Key Concepts
visual culture
celebrity worship
authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- How would removing visuals change political persuasion?
- Can substance‑only debates produce informed voters?
A Different Perspective
A purely audio debate may limit voter engagement and accessibility.
![“My movies more often are told through pictures, not words. But in this case, the pictures took second position to the incredible words of Abraham Lincoln and his presence [...] I was less interested in an outpouring of imagery than in letting the most human moment of this story evolve before us.” quote by Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be7/steven-spielberg-963_abraham_my-movies-more-often-are-told-through-pi_136993.jpg)