--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most people,” Abraham Lincoln said, “are…" description: "\"“Most people,” Abraham Lincoln said, “are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”\" — Thomas Lickona" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/051/thomas-lickona-39023_abraham-lincoln_most-people-abraham-lincoln-said-are-abo_100232.jpg" --- # Most people,” Abraham Lincoln said, “are about as happy as… ![“Most people,” Abraham Lincoln said, “are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” quote by Thomas Lickona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/051/thomas-lickona-39023_abraham-lincoln_most-people-abraham-lincoln-said-are-abo_100232.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/051/thomas-lickona-39023_abraham-lincoln_most-people-abraham-lincoln-said-are-abo_100232.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/051/thomas-lickona-39023_abraham-lincoln_most-people-abraham-lincoln-said-are-abo_100232.jpg) > ““Most people,” Abraham Lincoln said, “are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”” [Thomas Lickona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lickona/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Lincoln is quoted as saying happiness is a choice; the mind determines contentment more than external circumstances. **In simple terms:** Happiness depends on mindset. Key Takeaway Mindset shapes perceived happiness. Themes philosophy psychology well‑being Mood optimistic thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - stressful work environments - personal setbacks - mindfulness practice Key Concepts cognitive reframing internal locus of control Practical Applications - cognitive‑behavioral techniques - affirmation exercises Questions to Reflect On - When is happiness truly a choice? - How do external constraints interact with mindset? A Different Perspective It can overlook structural factors that limit real choices. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [“Not married until 33, Abraham Lincoln said, "A woman is the only thing I am afraid of that cannot hurt me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-foote/not-married-until-33-abraham-lincoln-said-a-woman-is-the-only-thing-i/) [Shelby Foote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-foote/) > [You cannot build a little guy up by tearing a big guy down -- Abraham Lincoln said it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kasich/you-cannot-build-a-little-guy-up-by-tearing-a-big-guy-down-abraham/) [John Kasich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kasich/) > [“All of us, young and old, need to be reminded that our attitude is something we choose. “Most people,” Abraham Lincoln said, “are about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/all-of-us-young-and-old-need-to-be-reminded-that-our-attitude-is/) [Thomas Lickona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lickona/) > [ That's what \[Abraham\] Lincoln said. "The white man will always be above the black man. I don't want them to run for office, or… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ayers/that-s-what-abraham-lincoln-said-the-white-man-will-always-be-above/) [Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-ayers/) > [He (Abraham Lincoln) said he wanted to visit the Holy Land and see those places hallowed by the footprints of the Saviour. He was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-todd-lincoln/he-abraham-lincoln-said-he-wanted-to-visit-the-holy-land-and-see/) [Mary Todd Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-todd-lincoln/) > [“Abraham Lincoln once said, “The strength of a nation lies in the people—in the homes of the people.” The”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/abraham-lincoln-once-said-the-strength-of-a-nation-lies-in-the-people/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [I think Abraham Lincoln said believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-think-abraham-lincoln-said-believe-nothing-of-what-you-hear-and/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [Half of the people can be part right all of the time, Some of the people can be all right part of the time.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/half-of-the-people-can-be-part-right-all-of-the-time-some-of-the/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [Abraham Lincoln, who said, A house divided... is a condominium. Never got a dinner!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-buttons/abraham-lincoln-who-said-a-house-divided-is-a-condominium-never-got-a/) [Red Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-buttons/) > [“Abraham Lincoln said, “Reputation is the shadow. Character is the tree.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honoree-corder/abraham-lincoln-said-reputation-is-the-shadow-character-is-the-tree/) [Honoree Corder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honoree-corder/) > [I have read where Abraham Lincoln said he wasn't interested in freeing the slaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/i-have-read-where-abraham-lincoln-said-he-wasn-t-interested-in/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Abraham Lincoln once said that if you are a racist, I will attack you with the north. And those are the principles that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-scott/abraham-lincoln-once-said-that-if-you-are-a-racist-i-will-attack-you/) [Michael Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-scott/) > [“Abraham Lincoln once said, “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raj-kosaraju/abraham-lincoln-once-said-my-concern-is-not-whether-god-is-on-our/) [Raj Kosaraju](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raj-kosaraju/) > [“Lincoln himself once said, “The worst things you can do for those you love are the things they could and should do for themselves.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/lincoln-himself-once-said-the-worst-things-you-can-do-for-those-you/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Lincoln said, 'With malice toward none, with charity to all.' Nowadays they say, 'Think the way I do or I'll bomb the daylights outta…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-barrymore/lincoln-said-with-malice-toward-none-with-charity-to-all-nowadays/) [Lionel Barrymore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-barrymore/) ## More by Thomas Lickona > [Character is the sum of one's good habits (virtues) and bad habits (vices). These habits mark us and affect the ways in which we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/character-is-the-sum-of-one-s-good-habits-virtues-and-bad-habits/) [Thomas Lickona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lickona/) > [Character Education helps to create an environment for caring and learning in schools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/character-education-helps-to-create-an-environment-for-caring-and/) [Thomas Lickona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lickona/) > [Character consists of the moral awareness and strength to know the good, love the good and do the good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/character-consists-of-the-moral-awareness-and-strength-to-know-the/) [Thomas Lickona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lickona/) > [Manners will become important to children only if they are important to their parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/manners-will-become-important-to-children-only-if-they-are-important/) [Thomas Lickona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lickona/) > [We need to be in control of ourselves - our appetites, our passions - to do right by others. It takes will to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/we-need-to-be-in-control-of-ourselves-our-appetites-our-passions-to/) [Thomas Lickona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lickona/) > [Good character consists of knowing the good, desiring the good, and doing the good habits of the mind, habits of the heart, and habits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/good-character-consists-of-knowing-the-good-desiring-the-good-and/) [Thomas Lickona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lickona/) > [Morality is not a spectator sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/morality-is-not-a-spectator-sport/) [Thomas Lickona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lickona/) > [Children are 25 percent of the population but 100 percent of the future. If we wish to renew society, we must raise up a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/children-are-25-percent-of-the-population-but-100-percent-of-the/) [Thomas Lickona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lickona/) > [“All of us, young and old, need to be reminded that our attitude is something we choose. “Most people,” Abraham Lincoln said, “are about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/all-of-us-young-and-old-need-to-be-reminded-that-our-attitude-is/) [Thomas Lickona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lickona/) > [One's character is one's habitual way of behaving. We all have patterns of behavior or habits, and often we are quite unaware of them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/one-s-character-is-one-s-habitual-way-of-behaving-we-all-have/) [Thomas Lickona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lickona/) [Explore all 11 Thomas Lickona quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lickona/) ## More Abraham lincoln quotes > [“If Abraham Lincoln were alive now, he'd roll over in his grave.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-ford/if-abraham-lincoln-were-alive-now-he-d-roll-over-in-his-grave/) [Gerald Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-ford/) > [Remember that Abraham Lincoln was a Whig far longer than he was a Republican. As a whole, the Whigs looked upon banks and corporations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-c-guelzo/remember-that-abraham-lincoln-was-a-whig-far-longer-than-he-was-a/) [Allen C. Guelzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-c-guelzo/) > [“Whatever you are, be a good one.”   Abraham Lincoln”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rriiver-nyile/whatever-you-are-be-a-good-one-abraham-lincoln/) [Rriiver Nyile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rriiver-nyile/) > [Everybody faces obstacles. And I looked to people who had been through many to succeed in life. Abraham Lincoln, born to a poor family,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/everybody-faces-obstacles-and-i-looked-to-people-who-had-been-through/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) > [“What is to be, will be, and no prayers of ours can arrest the decree.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/what-is-to-be-will-be-and-no-prayers-of-ours-can-arrest-the-decree/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“If you attend a meeting of evolutionary biologists somewhere in America, you might be lucky and spot a tall, gray-whiskered, smiling man bearing a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-ridley/if-you-attend-a-meeting-of-evolutionary-biologists-somewhere-in/) [Matt Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-ridley/) > [Men like Abraham Lincoln recognized that if the slaveholders were not stopped, it would only be a question of time until they spread their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-cox-richardson/men-like-abraham-lincoln-recognized-that-if-the-slaveholders-were-not/) [Heather Cox Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-cox-richardson/) > [Abraham Lincoln did not contend that his actions were immune from Congressional correction; on the contrary, he specifically said he was acting beyond the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lee-miller/abraham-lincoln-did-not-contend-that-his-actions-were-immune-from/) [William Lee Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lee-miller/) > [I grew up in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Harden County, which is not too far from the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-cameron/i-grew-up-in-elizabethtown-kentucky-harden-county-which-is-not-too/) [Daniel Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-cameron/) > [“Abraham Lincoln struck off the chains of black Americans, but it was Lyndon Johnson who led them into voting booths, closed democracy’s sacred curtain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-caro/abraham-lincoln-struck-off-the-chains-of-black-americans-but-it-was/) [Robert A. Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-caro/) > [My movies more often are told through pictures, not words. But in this case, the pictures took second position to the incredible words of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/my-movies-more-often-are-told-through-pictures-not-words-but-in-this/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [I must have missed school the day we learned about Abraham Lincoln being a vampire slayer...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-must-have-missed-school-the-day-we-learned-about-abraham-lincoln/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Abraham Lincoln recognized that we could not survive as a free land when some men could decide that others were not fit to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/abraham-lincoln-recognized-that-we-could-not-survive-as-a-free-land/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [My favorite thought about Abraham Lincoln is he believed in two things: loving one another and working together to make this world better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-cuomo/my-favorite-thought-about-abraham-lincoln-is-he-believed-in-two/) [Mario Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-cuomo/) > [If I could be any famous person, I'd be John Wilkes Booth, because I'd love to shoot Abraham Lincoln in the face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-yorke/if-i-could-be-any-famous-person-i-d-be-john-wilkes-booth-because-i-d/) [Thom Yorke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-yorke/) Browse all 238 Abraham lincoln quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Most people,” Abraham Lincoln said, “are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Lickona" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/most-people-abraham-lincoln-said-are-about-as-happy-as-they-make-up/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abraham lincoln" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/most-people-abraham-lincoln-said-are-about-as-happy-as-they-make-up/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/051/thomas-lickona-39023_abraham-lincoln_most-people-abraham-lincoln-said-are-abo_100232.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/051/thomas-lickona-39023_abraham-lincoln_most-people-abraham-lincoln-said-are-abo_100232.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/051/thomas-lickona-39023_abraham-lincoln_most-people-abraham-lincoln-said-are-abo_100232.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Most people,” Abraham Lincoln said, “are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Thomas Lickona", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Thomas Lickona", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-lickona/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Most people,” Abraham Lincoln said, “are...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/most-people-abraham-lincoln-said-are-about-as-happy-as-they-make-up/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-lickona/most-people-abraham-lincoln-said-are-about-as-happy-as-they-make-up/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```