--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: President Lincoln was once criticized for…" description: "\"President Lincoln was once criticized for his attitude toward his enemies. \"Why do you try to make friends of them?\" asked an associate. \"You should tr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f1/abraham-lincoln-88_associates_president-lincoln-was-once-criticized-fo_1761779.png" --- # President Lincoln was once criticized for his attitude… ![“President Lincoln was once criticized for his attitude toward his enemies. "Why do you try to make friends of them?" asked an associate. "You should try to destroy them." "Am I not destroying my enemies," Lincoln gently replied, "when I make them my friends?"” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f1/abraham-lincoln-88_associates_president-lincoln-was-once-criticized-fo_1761779.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f1/abraham-lincoln-88_associates_president-lincoln-was-once-criticized-fo_1761779.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f1/abraham-lincoln-88_associates_president-lincoln-was-once-criticized-fo_1761779.png) > “President Lincoln was once criticized for his attitude toward his enemies. "Why do you try to make friends of them?" asked an associate. "You should try to destroy them." "Am I not destroying my enemies," Lincoln gently replied, "when I make them my friends?"” [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. Friendship can be a strategic way to neutralize hostility; turning enemies into allies reduces conflict. **In simple terms:** Make friends, not enemies, to end conflict. Key Takeaway Transform foes into friends. Themes conflict resolution empathy strategy Mood thoughtful inspirational historical Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - political negotiations - workplace disputes - personal relationships - community building Key Concepts diplomacy psychology leadership Questions to Reflect On - When is it better to confront than to befriend? - How can you protect yourself while extending goodwill? A Different Perspective Friendship may not always be possible; some adversaries remain hostile. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Associates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/associates/) [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Attitude Enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude-enemies-1698000/) [Destroying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroying/) [Enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemies/) [Enemies Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemies-lincoln-1697998/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Lincoln Criticized](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lincoln-criticized-1697999/) [My friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-friends/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [President lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president-lincoln/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) ## Related quotes > [If you can cultivate the right attitude, your enemies are your best spiritual teachers because their presence provides you with the opportunity to enhance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-can-cultivate-the-right-attitude-your-enemies-are-your-best/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For my part, it is not the mystery of the incarnation which I discover in religion, but the mystery of social order, which associates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/for-my-part-it-is-not-the-mystery-of-the-incarnation-which-i-discover/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [“The Battle of Gettysburg was fought in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 18-something-or-nother. 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That was a great -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/president-lincoln-was-trying-to-convince-some-people-he-used-some/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [“When Lincoln was running for the House of Representatives from Illinois, he was charged with being “a scoffer at religion,” wrote the historian William…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-meacham/when-lincoln-was-running-for-the-house-of-representatives-from/) [Jon Meacham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-meacham/) > [President Lincoln called upon Americans to speak with one voice and one heart. That's just what we have to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/president-lincoln-called-upon-americans-to-speak-with-one-voice-and/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [“Our strength, in other words, has rested in our determination to reject simplistic absolutes and to redefine and revitalize a productive middle ground, relinquishing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/our-strength-in-other-words-has-rested-in-our-determination-to-reject/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [Today is the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. President Lincoln wrote it on his way to the site of the speech on the back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/today-is-the-anniversary-of-the-gettysburg-address-president-lincoln/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) ## 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. 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