--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I claim not to have controlled events…" description: "\"I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me. Now, at the end of three years struggle the nation's conditi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3e/abraham-lincoln-88_causes_i-claim-not-to-have-controlled-events-bu_2446313.jpg" --- # I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly… ![“I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me. Now, at the end of three years struggle the nation's condition is not what either party, or any man devised, or expected. God alone can claim it. Whither it is tending seems plain. If God now wills the…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3e/abraham-lincoln-88_causes_i-claim-not-to-have-controlled-events-bu_2446313.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3e/abraham-lincoln-88_causes_i-claim-not-to-have-controlled-events-bu_2446313.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3e/abraham-lincoln-88_causes_i-claim-not-to-have-controlled-events-bu_2446313.jpg) > “I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me. Now, at the end of three years struggle the nation's condition is not what either party, or any man devised, or expected. God alone can claim it. Whither it is tending seems plain. If God now wills the removal of a great wrong, and wills also that we of the North as well as you of the South, shall pay fairly for our complicity in that wrong, impartial history will find therein new cause to attest and revere the justice and goodness of God.” [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. Human events shape nations, but divine will ultimately guides history; justice will be served when wrongs are corrected. **In simple terms:** God guides history beyond human control. Key Takeaway Trust in divine justice. Themes faith history justice divine will Mood solemn hopeful Type historical theological When to use this quote - national policy - reconciliation - historical analysis Key Concepts theology political philosophy morality Questions to Reflect On - What role does faith play in political decisions? - How can societies reconcile past injustices? A Different Perspective Human agency is limited; divine providence influences outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Complicity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complicity/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Goodness of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness-of-god/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/party/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle/) ## Related quotes > [I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-claim-not-to-have-controlled-events-but-confess-plainly-that-events/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Now, at the end of three years struggle the nation's condition is not what either party, or any man devised, or expected. God alone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/now-at-the-end-of-three-years-struggle-the-nation-s-condition-is-not/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [News events cannot be controlled, nor can newscasts be mapped out like entertainment shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-savitch/news-events-cannot-be-controlled-nor-can-newscasts-be-mapped-out-like/) [Jessica Savitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-savitch/) > [I am determined to control events, not be controlled by them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-am-determined-to-control-events-not-be-controlled-by-them/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“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/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [It must now atone in blood for its complicity in wickedness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/it-must-now-atone-in-blood-for-its-complicity-in-wickedness/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The prime minister has chosen to acknowledge publicly the sovereignty of God and the claim of God on her life. Hers is the challenge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-robinson/the-prime-minister-has-chosen-to-acknowledge-publicly-the-sovereignty/) Philip Robinson > [In a very real sense my science does inform my knowledge of God. If you would allow me to say that we never know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-coyne/in-a-very-real-sense-my-science-does-inform-my-knowledge-of-god-if/) [George Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-coyne/) > [It is imperative to bear in mind that human creativity is not a claim or a right on the part of man, but God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikolai-berdyaev/it-is-imperative-to-bear-in-mind-that-human-creativity-is-not-a-claim/) [Nikolai Berdyaev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikolai-berdyaev/) > [“There is something distinctly odd about the argument, however. Believing is not something you can decide to do as a matter of policy. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/there-is-something-distinctly-odd-about-the-argument-however/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“So it is also that in the act of knowing, to the extent that we know something truly, we know it as created, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-scott-oliphint/so-it-is-also-that-in-the-act-of-knowing-to-the-extent-that-we-know/) [K. Scott Oliphint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-scott-oliphint/) > [Those who dare to interpret God's will must never claim Him as an asset for one nation or group rather than another. War springs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-runcie/those-who-dare-to-interpret-god-s-will-must-never-claim-him-as-an/) [Robert Runcie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-runcie/) > [“Pascal’s Wager could only ever be an argument for feigning belief in God. And the God that you claim to believe in had better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/pascal-s-wager-could-only-ever-be-an-argument-for-feigning-belief-in/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“When you discover in yourself something that is a gift from God, you have to claim it and not let it be taken away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-brown/when-you-discover-in-yourself-something-that-is-a-gift-from-god-you/) Tommy Brown > [“No matter how many precautions we take, none of us are truly in control. Only God can claim that kind of authority. All we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-witemeyer/no-matter-how-many-precautions-we-take-none-of-us-are-truly-in/) [Karen Witemeyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-witemeyer/) ## 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 Causes quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/) [Henry B. 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Well, roll my breakfast cause I'm a hungry man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-joe-turner/get-out-from-that-kitchen-and-rattle-those-pots-and-pans-well-roll-my/) [Big Joe Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-joe-turner/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [Jobs and money are never the primary cause of stress. Thinking, negative thinking causes stress. The real cause of all problems lie in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/jobs-and-money-are-never-the-primary-cause-of-stress-thinking/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [God hides Himself behind causes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-rollin/god-hides-himself-behind-causes/) [Charles Rollin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-rollin/) > [Guns have little or nothing to do with juvenile violence. The causes of youth violence are working parents who put their kids into daycare,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-delay/guns-have-little-or-nothing-to-do-with-juvenile-violence-the-causes/) [Tom DeLay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-delay/) > [I don't wear rubbers cause you can't catch it twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/i-don-t-wear-rubbers-cause-you-can-t-catch-it-twice/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Well the first time I performed, my mom was like how she is now when sees me on stage – all red, smiling from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-brown/well-the-first-time-i-performed-my-mom-was-like-how-she-is-now-when/) [Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-brown/) > [I love a lot of things, a whole lot of things / Like / My cousin comes to visit and you know he's from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eloise-greenfield/i-love-a-lot-of-things-a-whole-lot-of-things-like-my-cousin-comes-to/) Eloise Greenfield > [Many companies have long contended that stress in the home causes productivity loss in the market place.. and it does. 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