--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Mr. Lincoln gained influence over men by…" description: "\"“Mr. Lincoln gained influence over men by making them feel that it was a pleasure to serve him. He preferred yielding his own wish to gratify others, r..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/ulysses-s-grant-1793_quote_mr-lincoln-gained-influence-over-men-by_1138843.jpg" --- # Mr. Lincoln gained influence over men by making them feel… ![“Mr. Lincoln gained influence over men by making them feel that it was a pleasure to serve him. He preferred yielding his own wish to gratify others, rather than to insist upon having his own way. It distressed him to disappoint others. In matters of public duty, however, he had what he wished, but…” quote by Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/ulysses-s-grant-1793_quote_mr-lincoln-gained-influence-over-men-by_1138843.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/ulysses-s-grant-1793_quote_mr-lincoln-gained-influence-over-men-by_1138843.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/ulysses-s-grant-1793_quote_mr-lincoln-gained-influence-over-men-by_1138843.jpg) > ““Mr. Lincoln gained influence over men by making them feel that it was a pleasure to serve him. He preferred yielding his own wish to gratify others, rather than to insist upon having his own way. It distressed him to disappoint others. In matters of public duty, however, he had what he wished, but in the least offensive way.”” [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Grant describes Lincoln’s leadership style: he prioritized others’ satisfaction, yielding his own preferences to avoid conflict, yet maintained authority when needed. **In simple terms:** Lincoln led by pleasing others while staying firm when necessary. Key Takeaway Balance empathy with decisive action. Themes leadership empathy authority Mood thoughtful strategic Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - political leadership - team management - public service Key Concepts servant leadership conflict avoidance Questions to Reflect On - When should you assert your own needs? - How do you keep authority without alienating others? A Different Perspective Over‑accommodating can weaken personal boundaries. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gained Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gained-influence-3165835/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Influence Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence-men-1932521/) [Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lincoln/) [Lincoln Gained](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lincoln-gained-3165834/) [Mr Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mr-lincoln-1157462/) ## Related quotes > [Really, Mr. Lincoln, I have had enough of this show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/really-mr-lincoln-i-have-had-enough-of-this-show-business/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“In my first interview with Mr. Lincoln alone he stated to me that he had never professed to be a military man or to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/in-my-first-interview-with-mr-lincoln-alone-he-stated-to-me-that-he/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“He was at last untrammelled by constitutional conditions and limitations, was free to carry the War into Africa. “Carthago est delenda” was thenceforth ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archibald-henry-grimke/he-was-at-last-untrammelled-by-constitutional-conditions-and/) [Archibald Henry Grimke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-henry-grimke/) > [“Mr. Lincoln, the merciful and just, who cries large tears over Mrs. Bixby's five boys, hasn't any tears to shed about the thousands of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/mr-lincoln-the-merciful-and-just-who-cries-large-tears-over-mrs-bixby/) [Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/) > [Mr. Lincoln's maxim and philosophy were: 'What is to be, will be, and no prayers of ours can arrest the decree.' He never joined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-todd-lincoln/mr-lincoln-s-maxim-and-philosophy-were-what-is-to-be-will-be-and-no/) [Mary Todd Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-todd-lincoln/) > [When I come to work in this capital, I'll visit Mr. Lincoln every day. I've been walking in his footsteps my entire life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-cameron/when-i-come-to-work-in-this-capital-i-ll-visit-mr-lincoln-every-day-i/) [Daniel Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-cameron/) > [Viewed from the genuine abolition ground, Mr. Lincoln seemed tardy, cold, dull, and indifferent; but measuring him by the sentiment of his country, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/viewed-from-the-genuine-abolition-ground-mr-lincoln-seemed-tardy-cold/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“No one who has ever done anything worth doing has gone uncriticized. As regards the matter at hand (as regards him), I am, at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/no-one-who-has-ever-done-anything-worth-doing-has-gone-uncriticized/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [Mr. Lincoln is already defeated. He cannot be re-elected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-greeley/mr-lincoln-is-already-defeated-he-cannot-be-re-elected/) [Horace Greeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-greeley/) > [Politically I did not like Mr. Lincoln, for in him I saw the destroyer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/belle-boyd/politically-i-did-not-like-mr-lincoln-for-in-him-i-saw-the-destroyer/) [Belle Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/belle-boyd/) > [“Vatican Council II (1962–1965): ‘The maternal duty of Mary toward men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-louis-de-montfort/vatican-council-ii-1962-1965-the-maternal-duty-of-mary-toward-men-in/) [Saint Louis De Montfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-louis-de-montfort/) > [“It is a strange fact, but incontestable, that the philanthropist, who ardent in his desire to do good, who patient, reasonable and gentle, yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-shelley/it-is-a-strange-fact-but-incontestable-that-the-philanthropist-who/) [Mary Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-shelley/) > [One is more certain to influence men, to produce more effect on them, by absurdities than by sensible ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/one-is-more-certain-to-influence-men-to-produce-more-effect-on-them/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [“were denied direct participation in the government, forced to rely on wit and wile to influence the men who wielded raw power.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-phillips/were-denied-direct-participation-in-the-government-forced-to-rely-on/) [Richard Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-phillips/) > [I am becoming a man; I am maturing day by day. The influence of being around men helps me and makes me be more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-sessegnon/i-am-becoming-a-man-i-am-maturing-day-by-day-the-influence-of-being/) [Ryan Sessegnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-sessegnon/) ## More by Ulysses S. Grant > [“In the early days of the country, before we had railroads, telegraphs and steamboats—in a word, rapid transit of any sort—the States were each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/in-the-early-days-of-the-country-before-we-had-railroads-telegraphs/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“The much talked of surrendering of Lee’s sword and my handing it back, this and much more that has been said about it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/the-much-talked-of-surrendering-of-lee-s-sword-and-my-handing-it-back/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“General Lee was dressed in a full uniform which was entirely new, and was wearing a sword of considerable value, very likely the sword…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/general-lee-was-dressed-in-a-full-uniform-which-was-entirely-new-and/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“The great bulk of the legal voters of the South were men who owned no slaves; their homes were generally in the hills and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/the-great-bulk-of-the-legal-voters-of-the-south-were-men-who-owned-no/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [If we are to have another contest in the near future of our national existence, I predict that the dividing line will not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/if-we-are-to-have-another-contest-in-the-near-future-of-our-national/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [...but for a soldier his duty is plain. He is to obey the orders of all those placed over him and whip the enemy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/but-for-a-soldier-his-duty-is-plain-he-is-to-obey-the-orders-of-all/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“I was afraid, every morning, that I would awake from my sleep to hear that Lee had gone, and that nothing was left but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/i-was-afraid-every-morning-that-i-would-awake-from-my-sleep-to-hear/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“The efforts to kill off politically the two successful generals, made them both candidates for the Presidency. General Taylor was nominated in 1848, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/the-efforts-to-kill-off-politically-the-two-successful-generals-made/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [Hold fast to the Bible. To the influence of this Book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/hold-fast-to-the-bible-to-the-influence-of-this-book-we-are-indebted/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“The fact is the constitution did not apply to any such contingency as the one existing from 1861 to 1865. Its framers never dreamed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/the-fact-is-the-constitution-did-not-apply-to-any-such-contingency-as/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [It was my fortune, or misfortune, to be called to the office of Chief Executive without any previous political training.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/it-was-my-fortune-or-misfortune-to-be-called-to-the-office-of-chief/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [No other terms than unconditional and immediate surrender. I propose to move immediately upon your works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/no-other-terms-than-unconditional-and-immediate-surrender-i-propose/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [I would suggest the taxation of all property equally whether church or corporation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/i-would-suggest-the-taxation-of-all-property-equally-whether-church/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [I know only two tunes: one of them is 'Yankee Doodle,' and the other isn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/i-know-only-two-tunes-one-of-them-is-yankee-doodle-and-the-other-isn-t/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“I could have allowed myself more time. I have used my best efforts, with the aid of my eldest son, F. D. Grant, assisted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/i-could-have-allowed-myself-more-time-i-have-used-my-best-efforts/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) [Explore all 208 Ulysses S. Grant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) ## More Influence quotes > [My coach, Robert Allen, helped me a lot. He had more influence on my growth as a player than anyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamarcus-aldridge/my-coach-robert-allen-helped-me-a-lot-he-had-more-influence-on-my/) [LaMarcus Aldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamarcus-aldridge/) > [Life is not about how much you have but how much you have affect others life positively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-not-about-how-much-you-have-but-how-much-you-have-affect/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I really like a lot of American country stuff, so my music has that influence, but I don't like to be set within a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-bird/i-really-like-a-lot-of-american-country-stuff-so-my-music-has-that/) [Jade Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-bird/) > [Words can only have an effect on you if you choose to listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/words-can-only-have-an-effect-on-you-if-you-choose-to-listen-to-them/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) > [Treason implies responsibility for something, control over something, influence upon something, knowledge of something. Treason in our time is a proof of genius. Why,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/treason-implies-responsibility-for-something-control-over-something/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [... a fellow can't predict what he will pick up in the form of influence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-bellow/a-fellow-can-t-predict-what-he-will-pick-up-in-the-form-of-influence/) [Saul Bellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-bellow/) > [We believe a scientist because he can substantiate his remarks, not because he is eloquent and forcible in his enunciation. In fact, we distrust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-a-richards/we-believe-a-scientist-because-he-can-substantiate-his-remarks-not/) [I. A. Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-a-richards/) > [It seemed to me that the human beings I met reacted pretty much the same to the same stimuli. Different idioms,yes. Circumstances and conditions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/it-seemed-to-me-that-the-human-beings-i-met-reacted-pretty-much-the/) [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) > [Every man is a missionary, now and forever, for good or for evil, whether he intends or designs it or not. He may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chalmers/every-man-is-a-missionary-now-and-forever-for-good-or-for-evil/) [Thomas Chalmers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chalmers/) > [My influences are jazz, blues, European classical music; they are rock music and pop music. So many kinds of music. World music from different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rokia-traore/my-influences-are-jazz-blues-european-classical-music-they-are-rock/) [Rokia Traore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rokia-traore/) > [Influences come from everywhere. I don't really feel like I had too many influences for the first record because I grew up listening to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avril-lavigne/influences-come-from-everywhere-i-don-t-really-feel-like-i-had-too/) [Avril Lavigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avril-lavigne/) > [It was both necessary and desirable for us to be so strong at sea that no Sea Power could attack us without risk, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernhard-von-bulow/it-was-both-necessary-and-desirable-for-us-to-be-so-strong-at-sea/) [Bernhard von Bulow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernhard-von-bulow/) > [Obligation is what's leading us to toward successful, and what keeps us moving towards the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wazim-shaw/obligation-is-what-s-leading-us-to-toward-successful-and-what-keeps/) [Wazim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wazim-shaw/) [Browse all 7,121 Influence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Mr. Lincoln gained influence over men by making them feel that it was a pleasure to serve him. He preferred yielding his own wish to gratify others, rather than to insist upon having his own way. It distressed him to disappoint others. In matters of public duty, however, he had what he wished, but in the least offensive way.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ulysses S. Grant" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/mr-lincoln-gained-influence-over-men-by-making-them-feel-that-it-was/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Influence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/mr-lincoln-gained-influence-over-men-by-making-them-feel-that-it-was/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/ulysses-s-grant-1793_quote_mr-lincoln-gained-influence-over-men-by_1138843.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/ulysses-s-grant-1793_quote_mr-lincoln-gained-influence-over-men-by_1138843.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/ulysses-s-grant-1793_quote_mr-lincoln-gained-influence-over-men-by_1138843.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Mr. Lincoln gained influence over men by making them feel that it was a pleasure to serve him. He preferred…” — Ulysses S. Grant", "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": "Ulysses S. Grant", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Mr. Lincoln gained influence over men...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/mr-lincoln-gained-influence-over-men-by-making-them-feel-that-it-was/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/mr-lincoln-gained-influence-over-men-by-making-them-feel-that-it-was/#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 } } ] } ```