Answers Quote by Abraham Lincoln
“We cannot ask a man what he will do, and if we should, and he should answer us, we should despise him for it. Therefore we must take a man whose opinions are known.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: 1864 Republican National Convention, Chicago, Illinois
People should be judged by known beliefs, not by hypothetical answers, because predictions are unreliable.
In simple terms: Judge by known opinions, not guesses.
Key Takeaway
Prefer people with clear, stated views.
Themes
trust
integrity
decisionmaking
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- hiring
- leadership selection
- voting
- team building
Key Concepts
political philosophy
human behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify someone's current stance?
- What risks arise from relying solely on past statements?
A Different Perspective
People may change opinions, making past statements less reliable.
![“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)
