Confidence Quote by Abraham Lincoln
“If once you forfeit the confidence of your fellow-citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Gettysburg Address, 1863
Losing public trust destroys the ability to earn respect again.
In simple terms: Trust is essential for respect.
Key Takeaway
Never betray public confidence.
Themes
trust
leadership
respect
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- political campaigns
- public office
- community leadership
Key Concepts
social contract
reputation
integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders rebuild trust after a breach?
- What actions demonstrate genuine accountability?
A Different Perspective
Regaining trust is far harder than maintaining it.
![“[L]et us work to rid ourselves of our attacks of over-zealousness especially when it offends against respect, esteem, and charity.” quote by Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/37c/vincent-de-paul-1676_charity_l-et-us-work-to-rid-ourselves-of-our-att_1897272.jpg)
![“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)
