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Abraham Lincoln, more than perhaps any other American president, embodied the very essence of grit. His life was a testament to perseverance against overwhelming odds, a quality demonstrably crucial during the tumultuous years of the Civil War. Leading a deeply divided nation, Lincoln faced secession, internal dissent, and the immense human cost of battle. His unwavering commitment to preserving the Union and ultimately emancipating enslaved people required an extraordinary degree of resilience. He navigated political landmines and devastating losses, demonstrating that true grit lies not in the absence of failure, but in the determination to rise again, stronger and more resolute.
"I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate and aid this effort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and the existence of our National Union, and the perpetuity of popular government; and to redress wrongs already long enough endured. Proclamation Calling Militia and Convening Congress on (15 April 1861)"
"I am a slow walker, but I never walk backwards."
"You cannot fail, if you resolutely determine, that you will not."
"I am not ashamed to confess that twenty-five years ago I was a hired laborer, mauling rails, at work on a flat-boat—just what might happen to any poor man's son!"
"He who does not help himself, will find no help from others."
"My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure."
"No men living are more worthy to be trusted than those who toil up from poverty."
"Work, work, work, is the main thing."
Seeing how Abraham Lincoln approaches Grit helps you apply the idea with more precision.
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"Use this collection whenever you need Abraham Lincoln's lens on Grit."