--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Determine the thing that can and shall be…" description: "\"Determine the thing that can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.\" — Abraham Lincoln" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a3/abraham-lincoln-88_attitude_determine-the-thing-that-can-and-shall-b_811961.png" --- # Determine the thing that can and shall be done, and then… ![“Determine the thing that can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a3/abraham-lincoln-88_attitude_determine-the-thing-that-can-and-shall-b_811961.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a3/abraham-lincoln-88_attitude_determine-the-thing-that-can-and-shall-b_811961.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a3/abraham-lincoln-88_attitude_determine-the-thing-that-can-and-shall-b_811961.png) > “Determine the thing that can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.” [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Identify doable actions, then discover the path to achieve them. **In simple terms:** Find what can be done, then the way. Key Takeaway Focus on actionable steps first. Themes leadership strategy problem solving determination Mood focused pragmatic Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - business planning - personal projects - crisis management Key Concepts decision making goal setting Questions to Reflect On - What is the first actionable step you can take? - How do you ensure the step aligns with long-term goals? A Different Perspective May overlook larger vision. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Determine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determine/) [Determine Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determine-thing-269268/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Ideals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideals/) [Intention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intention/) [Optimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimism/) [Plans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plans/) [Positive thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-thinking/) [Problem solving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-solving/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing/) [Thing Shall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-shall-269269/) ## Related quotes > [Determine that the thing can and shall be done and then... find the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/determine-that-the-thing-can-and-shall-be-done-and-then-find-the-way/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“Abraham Lincoln: Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-o-leary/abraham-lincoln-determine-that-the-thing-can-and-shall-be-done-and/) [John O'Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-o-leary/) > [“Can there be nothing but what we are able to understand and explain as to means, mode, and accomplishment? This would be a poverty-stricken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-e-talmage/can-there-be-nothing-but-what-we-are-able-to-understand-and-explain/) [James E. Talmage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-e-talmage/) > [“Do the thing, and you shall have the power.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson Essay on Compensation”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-olson/do-the-thing-and-you-shall-have-the-power-ralph-waldo-emerson-essay/) [Jeff Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-olson/) > [Simply the thing I am Shall make me live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare-1564-1616/simply-the-thing-i-am-shall-make-me-live/) [William Shakespeare (1564\_1616](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare-1564-1616/) > [And all shall be well and/ All manner of thing shall be well/ By the purification of the motive/ In the ground of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-s-eliot/and-all-shall-be-well-and-all-manner-of-thing-shall-be-well-by-the/) [T. S. Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-s-eliot/) > [“ISA43.18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. ISA43.19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/isa43-18-remember-ye-not-the-former-things-neither-consider-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Do your thing, and I shall know you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/do-your-thing-and-i-shall-know-you/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [And, as for me, if, by any possibility, there be any as yet undiscovered prime thing in me; if I shall ever deserve any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/and-as-for-me-if-by-any-possibility-there-be-any-as-yet-undiscovered/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-of-norwich/all-shall-be-well-and-all-shall-be-well-and-all-manner-of-thing-shall/) [Julian of Norwich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-of-norwich/) > [“Die? That is the last thing I shall do!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-fairbanks/die-that-is-the-last-thing-i-shall-do/) [Douglas Fairbanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-fairbanks/) > [“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 19. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/remember-ye-not-the-former-things-neither-consider-the-things-of-old/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Simply the thing that I am shall make me live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/simply-the-thing-that-i-am-shall-make-me-live/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Always remember, your focus determines your reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/always-remember-your-focus-determines-your-reality/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) > [For pain is perhaps but a violent pleasure? Who could determine the point where pleasure becomes pain, where pain is still a pleasure? Is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/for-pain-is-perhaps-but-a-violent-pleasure-who-could-determine-the/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) ## More by Abraham Lincoln > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/all-that-i-am-or-ever-hope-to-be-i-owe-to-my-angel-mother/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If you wish to be a lawyer, attach no consequence to the place you are in, or the person you are with; but get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/if-you-wish-to-be-a-lawyer-attach-no-consequence-to-the-place-you-are/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [As we keep or break the Sabbath Day we nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope by which man rises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/as-we-keep-or-break-the-sabbath-day-we-nobly-save-or-meanly-lose-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Tell the truth and you won't have so much to remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/tell-the-truth-and-you-won-t-have-so-much-to-remember/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [With high hope for the future, no prediction is ventured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/with-high-hope-for-the-future-no-prediction-is-ventured/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We know, Southern men declare that their slaves are better off than hired laborers amongst us. How little they know, whereof they speak! There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/we-know-southern-men-declare-that-their-slaves-are-better-off-than/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I am glad to see that a system of labor prevails under which laborers can strike when they want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-am-glad-to-see-that-a-system-of-labor-prevails-under-which-laborers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I don't like that man. I must get to know him better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-don-t-like-that-man-i-must-get-to-know-him-better/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and to the young, it comes with bitterest agony because it takes them unawares.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-this-sad-world-of-ours-sorrow-comes-to-all-and-to-the-young-it/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am. None who would do more to preserve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-man-does-not-live-who-is-more-devoted-to-peace-than-i-am-none-who/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) [Explore all 1,437 Abraham Lincoln quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) [Sheye Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheye-hassan/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Determine the thing that can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Abraham Lincoln" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/determine-the-thing-that-can-and-shall-be-done-and-then-we-shall-find/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/determine-the-thing-that-can-and-shall-be-done-and-then-we-shall-find/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a3/abraham-lincoln-88_attitude_determine-the-thing-that-can-and-shall-b_811961.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a3/abraham-lincoln-88_attitude_determine-the-thing-that-can-and-shall-b_811961.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a3/abraham-lincoln-88_attitude_determine-the-thing-that-can-and-shall-b_811961.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Determine the thing that can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.” — Abraham Lincoln", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Abraham Lincoln", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Determine the thing that can and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/determine-the-thing-that-can-and-shall-be-done-and-then-we-shall-find/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/determine-the-thing-that-can-and-shall-be-done-and-then-we-shall-find/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```