Done Quote by Abraham Lincoln
“Few can be induced to labor exclusively for posterity - Posterity has done nothing for us”
About This Quote
People are motivated by personal legacy, yet posterity offers no direct benefit, revealing a self‑centered drive.
In simple terms: We work for legacy, not future benefit.
Key Takeaway
Focus on present impact.
Themes
legacy
motivation
selfishness
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
ethical
reflective
When to use this quote
- career planning
- philanthropy
- artistic creation
- political action
Key Concepts
ethics
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates your work?
- Do you consider future generations?
A Different Perspective
Legacy can be a selfish excuse for ego.
![“And, inasmuch [as] most good things are produced by labour, it follows that all such things of right belong to those whose labour has produced them. But it has so happened in all ages of the world, that some have laboured, and others have, without labour, enjoyed a large proportion of the fruits…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d72/abraham-lincoln-88_age_and-inasmuch-as-most-good-things-are-pro_200902.jpg)
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![“I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests with ZERO-G [a charter-flight service in Arlington, Va., that uses modified Boeing 727s to simulate weightlessness], which went great.” quote by Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa1/richard-branson-256_adventure_i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-repl_903.jpg)
