If biography and history teach us anything, it is that great men have almost always refused to poison their souls with vindictiveness and hate. You often hear someone say; "I've waited two years to get even with her, and now I have my chance." It is sad when someone has to be vindictive in order to feel important.
Abraham Lincoln surprised the nation by appointing his foremost political enemies into his Cabinet. Stanton, who characterized Lincoln as a clown and a gorilla, was appointed as Secretary of War. Seward regarded himself as much more competent than Lincoln, became the Secretary of State, Chase became his Secretary of Treasury, who used his cabinet influence to promote his own chances for the presidential nomination. It meant absolutely nothing to Lincoln, as long as Chase kept the confidence of the country and did his work well. When McClellan snubbed him brutally, and Lincoln was urged to replace him, he replied: "I will hold McClellan's horse if only he will give us victories."
Abraham Lincoln the "Gorilla"
Image credit
Disraeli had the same calm superiority to personal resentment. During his short tenure of power in 1868, he granted a pension to the children of John Leech, the Punch draftsman, who had mercilessly attacked him for thirty years. Now in 1874, his first action was to offer the highest distinction within his power to Thomas Carlyle, who had formerly asked how much longer John Bull would suffer this absurd monkey to dance on his chest. When a partisan of more vindictive turn expressed his astonishment at his meekness, he replied: I never trouble to be avenged."
Abe Lincoln the "Clown"
Image credit
A certain proportion of men that they must help balance the scales of justice. They nurse personal injuries; they harbour resentment and accept every opportunity to denounce and to criticise. They are never great men and will never become great men. You can tell that someone is truly miserable in their lives if it is their main purpose in life to destroy someone else's life. Great men have a calm superiority to resentment. If people try to bring you down, it means that you are, in fact, above them.
"A certain proportion of men that they must help balance the scales of justice. They nurse personal injuries; they harbour resentment and accept every opportunity to denounce and to criticise. They are never great men and will never become great men. You can tell that someone is truly miserable in their lives if it is their main purpose in life to destroy someone else's life. Great men have a calm superiority to resentment. If people try to bring you down, it means that you are, in fact, above them."
What a strong lines. I learned Disraeli from my father. He is one of my father favourite politician.
"there are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies, and statistics." Benjamin Disrali
What a delightful reply, thank you very much. My father liked Lincoln!
Terimakasih informasinya. Menjadi orang hebat tidaklah mudah namun kita tetap berusaha menjadi yang terhebat.
Kita harus mengikuti contoh orang 'hebat' dan meninggalkan perbedaan kita di belakang kita. Terimakasih atas balasan anda.
In fact, we can learn new things from the life of great people. I learned something from here.
We definitely can and nothing prevents us from being great ourselves!. Thank you for your reply.
What a wonderful perspective and such true words. How can you move forward in your life when you're too busy harbouring plans of revenge.
We all tend to drag our baggage with us, year in and year out. What for? We must learn to live for today, tomorrow will bring its own problems, most important of all, yesterday is gone! Thank you for your reply.