Civil war Quote by Doris Kearns Goodwin
““The histories and tragedies of Shakespeare that Lincoln loved most dealt with themes that would resonate to a president in the midst of civil war: political intrigue, the burdens of power, the nature of ambition, the relationship of leaders to those they governed. The plays illuminated with stark beauty the dire consequences of civil strife, the evils wrought by jealousy and disloyalty, the emotions evoked by the death of a child, the sundering of family ties or love of country.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Team of Rivals, 2005
Shakespeare’s tragedies resonated with Lincoln because they explored power, ambition, and the human cost of civil conflict, mirroring his own leadership challenges.
In simple terms: Lincoln saw his own struggles reflected in Shakespeare’s plays.
Key Takeaway
Study history and literature to gain leadership insight.
Themes
leadership
history
literature
conflict
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political decision‑making
- public speaking
- ethical governance
Key Concepts
political theory
human nature
narrative analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders use art to reflect on their duties?
- What limits exist when drawing lessons from historical drama?
A Different Perspective
Literary parallels may oversimplify complex political realities.
![“Whole swaths of the book [Lincoln in the Bardo] are made up of verbatim quotes from various historical sources, which I cut up and rearranged to form part of the narrative.” quote by George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f08/george-saunders-317_book_whole-swaths-of-the-book-lincoln-in-the_1268701.jpg)
