--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am approached with the most opposite…" description: "\"I am approached with the most opposite opinions and advice, and that by religious men, who are equally certain that they represent the Divine will. ......" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab8/abraham-lincoln-88_advice_i-am-approached-with-the-most-opposite-o_198048.jpg" --- # I am approached with the most opposite opinions and… ![“I am approached with the most opposite opinions and advice, and that by religious men, who are equally certain that they represent the Divine will. ... I hope it will not be irreverent for me to say that if it is probable that God would reveal his will to others, on a point so connected with my…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab8/abraham-lincoln-88_advice_i-am-approached-with-the-most-opposite-o_198048.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab8/abraham-lincoln-88_advice_i-am-approached-with-the-most-opposite-o_198048.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab8/abraham-lincoln-88_advice_i-am-approached-with-the-most-opposite-o_198048.jpg) > “I am approached with the most opposite opinions and advice, and that by religious men, who are equally certain that they represent the Divine will. ... I hope it will not be irreverent for me to say that if it is probable that God would reveal his will to others, on a point so connected with my duty, it might be supposed he would reveal it directly to me... These are not, however, the days of miracles ... I must study the plain physical facts of the case, ascertain what is possible, and learn what appears to be wise and right.” [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. Lincoln emphasizes reliance on empirical evidence over divine revelation when making decisions, urging practical study of facts and wise judgment. **In simple terms:** Use facts, not miracles, to guide decisions. Key Takeaway Base choices on evidence and reason. Themes reason practicality faith decisionmaking Mood thoughtful analytical serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - legal judgments - policy formation - personal dilemmas - scientific research Key Concepts empiricism wisdom divine will Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance faith and evidence? - When should divine guidance be trusted? A Different Perspective Miracles may be comforting but can mislead; not all truths are revealed directly. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) [Being wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-wise/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divine/) [Divine will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divine-will/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Irreverent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irreverent/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Miracle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miracle/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Opposites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposites/) [Positive atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-atheism/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [I am approached with the most opposite opinions and advice, and that by religious men, who are equally certain that they represent the Divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-am-approached-with-the-most-opposite-opinions-and-advice-and-that-3/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“I am approached with the most opposite opinions and advice, and that by religious men, who are equally certain that they represent the Divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-am-approached-with-the-most-opposite-opinions-and-advice-and-that-2/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I hope it will not be irreverent in me to say, that if it be probable that God would reveal his will to others,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-hope-it-will-not-be-irreverent-in-me-to-say-that-if-it-be-probable/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [In two opposite opinions, if one be perfectly reasonable, the other can't be perfectly right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/in-two-opposite-opinions-if-one-be-perfectly-reasonable-the-other-can/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [I went from following people to being on my own. Once I was on my own, I watched people start liking me, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-curry/i-went-from-following-people-to-being-on-my-own-once-i-was-on-my-own/) [Denzel Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-curry/) > [The figures... are not supposed to reveal anything... It's like seeing a stranger in some place like an air terminal for the first time.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-thiebaud/the-figures-are-not-supposed-to-reveal-anything-it-s-like-seeing-a/) [Wayne Thiebaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-thiebaud/) > [If 'god' is a metaphysical term, then it cannot be even probable that a god exists. For to say that 'God exists' is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-ayer/if-god-is-a-metaphysical-term-then-it-cannot-be-even-probable-that-a/) [A.J. Ayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-ayer/) > [“What is not so generally recognized is that there can be no way of proving that the existence of a god, such as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-ayer/what-is-not-so-generally-recognized-is-that-there-can-be-no-way-of/) [A.J. Ayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-ayer/) > [The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-will-of-god-prevails-in-great-contests-each-party-claims-to-act-2/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [In the present civil war it is quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-the-present-civil-war-it-is-quite-possible-that-god-s-purpose-is/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [God can not be for, and against the same thing at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/god-can-not-be-for-and-against-the-same-thing-at-the-same-time/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“God would reveal “Himself to anyone who would “listen,” and that “He” had a minutely detailed plan for every human life. The sheer chutzpah…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bufe/god-would-reveal-himself-to-anyone-who-would-listen-and-that-he-had-a/) [Charles Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bufe/) > [“It is in the adoring worship of God, the waiting on Him and for Him, the deep silence of soul that yields itself for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-in-the-adoring-worship-of-god-the-waiting-on-him-and-for-him/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“God will only reveal Himself to you when you begin to regard His people”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/god-will-only-reveal-himself-to-you-when-you-begin-to-regard-his/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [“God reveal me to me so that I can heal and be free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yvonne-pierre/god-reveal-me-to-me-so-that-i-can-heal-and-be-free/) [Yvonne Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yvonne-pierre/) ## 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 Advice quotes > [The sensible person is always serious about sensible advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/the-sensible-person-is-always-serious-about-sensible-advice/) Mak\_786 > [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. 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I think that you really ought to listen to the critics, because sometimes they're telling you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-worst-advice-don-t-listen-to-the-critics-i-think-that-you-really/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [When I was in my twenties and just so sexually prolific, the first time I went to Machu Picchu, this guy, a spiritual teacher,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/when-i-was-in-my-twenties-and-just-so-sexually-prolific-the-first/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [The best way to succeed in this world is to act on the advice you give to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-best-way-to-succeed-in-this-world-is-to-act-on-the-advice-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Time is priceless. You have it, but you don't own it. You spend it, but you can't keep it. And once it's gone, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-is-priceless-you-have-it-but-you-don-t-own-it-you-spend-it-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You don't need to take a persons advice to make him feel good, just ask him for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/you-don-t-need-to-take-a-persons-advice-to-make-him-feel-good-just/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) > [Some of the things that we hold onto the most, are the things that we need to let go of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryaj-ablando-catayas/some-of-the-things-that-we-hold-onto-the-most-are-the-things-that-we/) [Ryaj Ablando Catayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryaj-ablando-catayas/) > [“If your clothes are enough to drive would-be friends away, they're not the kind of friends you want." Typical mother advice. 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