Lincoln Quote by Joshua Wolf Shenk
““because of them, he worked all the harder in his thirties and forties to “make himself,” emotionally as well as materially, and go on to do the special work he longed for. Perseverance and forbearance became core aspects of Lincoln’s character, and he would one day give the same advice his law partner Stephen Logan gave him, that what matters is whether a person “keeps up his labors and efforts until middle life.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The End of Absurdity by Joshua Wolf Shenk, 2013
Lincoln’s perseverance in middle age was driven by emotional and material goals, shaping his character and advice to persist through life.
In simple terms: Lincoln kept working hard to achieve his dreams.
Key Takeaway
Persist through challenges.
Themes
perseverance
character
advice
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
historical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career development
- personal growth
- overcoming setbacks
- midlife reflection
Key Concepts
self‑actualization
resilience
historical perspective
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal goals motivate you now?
- How do you sustain effort over decades?
A Different Perspective
Advice may not suit everyone’s circumstances.
