Abstain Quote by Abraham Lincoln
“As a general rule, I abstain from reading reports of attacks upon myself, wishing not to be provoked by that to which I cannot properly offer an answer.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Letter to Mrs. Bixby, 1864
Avoiding hostile news protects emotional stability when you cannot respond effectively.
In simple terms: Ignore attacks you can't answer.
Key Takeaway
Focus on actions you can control.
Themes
self‑control
emotional health
information overload
Mood
reflective
calm
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- political strategy
- media consumption
Key Concepts
Stoicism
psychological resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- What information do you filter out?
- How might confronting criticism improve you?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring all criticism can blind you to legitimate issues.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
