Abraham Lincoln Persistence
The following story has become a piece of American History. It is not completely accurate, but the main point of the story is true.
Abraham Lincoln was born in a one room log cabin and over came numerous failures and obstacles to become president of the United States.
Enjoy the Lincoln Didn’t Quit story and continue reading to enjoy Inspirational Abraham Lincoln Quotes.
Lincoln Didn’t Quit
Probably the greatest example of persistence is Abraham Lincoln. If you want to learn about somebody who didn’t quit, look no further.
Born into poverty, Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. He lost eight elections, twice failed in business and suffered a nervous breakdown.
He could have quit many times – but he didn’t and because he didn’t quit, he became one of the greatest presidents in the history of our country.
Lincoln was a champion and he never gave up. Here is a sketch of Lincoln’s road to the White House:
1816 His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support
them.
1818 His mother died.
1831 Failed in business.
1832 Ran for state legislature – lost.
1832 Also lost his job – wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in.
1833 Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the
end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his
life paying off this debt.
1834 Ran for state legislature again – won.
1835 Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was
broken.
1836 Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
1838 Sought to become speaker of the state legislature – defeated.
1840 Sought to become elector – defeated.
1843 Ran for Congress – lost.
1846 Ran for Congress again – this time he won – went to Washington and
did a good job.
1848 Ran for re-election to Congress – lost.
1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state – rejected.
1854 Ran for Senate of the United States – lost.
1856 Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national
convention – got less than 100 votes.
1858 Ran for U.S. Senate again – again he lost.
1860 Elected president of the United States.
Inspirational Abraham Lincoln Quotes
In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count.
It’s the life in your years.
Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed
is more important than any other.
Nearly all men can stand adversity,
but if you want to test a man’s character,
give him power.
Books serve to show a man
that those original thoughts of his
aren’t very new after all.
You can fool all the people some of the time,
and some of the people all the time,
but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
I’m a success today because I had a friend who believed in me
and I didn’t have the heart to let him down.
Give me six hours to chop down a tree
and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.
Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?
When you reach the end of your rope,
tie a knot and hang on.
