Timeless Wisdom from Abraham Lincoln: Truth, Strategy, and Preparation

I am not sure on what to write today so I will be writing about a character. Not sure which character to take but thinking of a history character right now. Let's go with Abrahim Lincon because I heard he had some really good quotes. I read some quotes by Lincoln and honestly, it's so beautiful. 

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. How beautiful is this quote. I absolutely adored this. He's certainly got some personality. If you break this down, you can fool all the people some of the time. Which means that there would be sometimes where you can fool people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. How lovely is this. If you think about an example as well, let's say you have some product that was very well marketed, however with time people will know that the product is not as good as it was marketed. 

I planted myself upon the truth, and the truth only, so, as far I knew it, or could be brought to know it. This is Abraham Lincoln's speech, and this quote somehow matches the previous quote. If you plant yourself in truth as far as you know it, then there's no way that there would be people. He was one of those who would truly plant himself in the truth. At least, the truth that he knew the best. Sometimes we don't know the truth, but we at least understand what we know the best. We might be close the truth, but we might still be far away. For an example, you might not truly understand how somethings work, but you might understand it partially and that would be the truth for you. So the truth for you, your understanding = the whole truth - blindspots. So your understanding will be your truth and my understanding will be my truth. I like this idea though. But the major point that Abraham Lincoln is trying to say is to plant yourself in the truth. 

Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. There's just so much wisdom in his thought. Over here Abraham Lincoln is suggesting the importance of planning and preparation. I think this is a very important quote and it's better to spend some more time on this one. 

1. Preparation Over Execution

* Many people jump straight into action without planning, only to find themselves struggling. This quote emphasizes that the bulk of success lies in preparation.
* Just like sharpening the axe makes chopping easier, refining skills, gathering resources, and strategizing make execution smoother and more effective.

2. Efficiency vs. Hard Work

* Swinging a dull axe for six hours will get you nowhere, while a sharp axe will cut through the tree with ease.
* This teaches us that working harder isn’t always the answer—working smarter is.
* In the real world, this translates to upskilling, using the right tools, and having a well-thought-out approach.

3. The Power of Patience and Planning

* Many people rush into tasks because they feel the urgency to act.
* However, those who take the time to prepare carefully often achieve better results with less effort.
* Whether it's learning before executing, practicing before performing, or strategizing before investing, the principle remains the same.

4. Application in Different Areas of Life

* Career & Learning: The best professionals spend years honing their skills before making an impact. A great coder, writer, or entrepreneur doesn’t rush into things—they prepare first.
* Sports & Performance: Athletes spend most of their time training, not competing. A cricket batsman doesn't just walk onto the field and play—he practices for years.
* Leadership & Decision-Making: A good leader spends time understanding the problem, gathering insights, and weighing options before making a decision.

5. Personal Growth & Relationships

* Even in personal life, preparation matters. Before making major life choices, investing in self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and learning from experiences is crucial.

* In relationships, taking time to understand oneself and one’s partner can prevent future conflicts.

6. A Modern-Day Takeaway

* In today’s fast-paced world, where everyone is rushing to get ahead, this quote reminds us that slowing down to prepare is often the fastest way to succeed.
* In an era of instant gratification, those who take the time to sharpen their axe—be it through learning, strategizing, or self-improvement—will always have the edge over those who don’t.

Final Thought:
If you want to succeed at anything, don't just start hacking away blindly. Take time to sharpen your skills, develop a plan, and approach your goals with precision. That’s how you maximize your impact with minimal wasted effort.