Greatness Quote by Abraham Lincoln
“The time comes upon every public man when it is best for him to keep his lips closed.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Gettysburg Address, 1863
When public scrutiny is intense, it is wiser to remain silent rather than speak impulsively.
In simple terms: Sometimes silence is the best response.
Key Takeaway
Choose silence over reckless words.
Themes
politics
communication
reputation
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political debates
- media interviews
- court testimony
- leadership meetings
Key Concepts
public scrutiny
self‑control
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you spoken too soon?
- When could silence have helped you?
A Different Perspective
Silence can be misinterpreted as weakness or indifference.
![“There's a responsibility level that comes along with being a public figure. I can use this for really cool things. That really [allows] me to be very honest about my experiences.” quote by Tyler Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d54/tyler-blackburn-17088_cool-things_there-s-a-responsibility-level-that-come_1017073.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)
