Do you ever think of putting off a difficult task till next week? We all do it. We believe that when we pretend that a problem does not exist, it may disappear. But the fact of the matter is quite otherwise. It is not worth escaping work now, as it makes the future that more difficult to manage.
This brings us to our quote of the day by Abraham Lincoln. This is one of the well-known quotes by a world renowned leader that teaches us that time is not a standstill. The world we live in tomorrow is made by all the decisions we make today. We need to begin to take action immediately in order to have a better life.
Quote of the Day by Abraham Lincoln
“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”
This is an influential message that revolves around the subject of responsibility. It reminds us that our responsibilities do not disappear as we turn our heads. We should take our work boldly and with integrity.
Who was Abraham Lincoln?
The author of this quote is Abraham Lincoln. He was the 16th President of the United States. Many people consider him one of the greatest leaders in history.
Lincoln led the country during the American Civil War. This was the most difficult time in the history of the nation. He worked hard to keep the states together. He also signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This was a major step toward ending slavery in America. Lincoln was known for his wisdom, his kindness, and his deep sense of duty to the people.
Context of the Quote
Lincoln was a very stressed man. He was forced to make decisions that would impact millions of lives. However, during the civil war, there were a lot of individuals who would have chosen the easy way out. Others were willing to give up on the fight for unity. Some people wished to forget about the large issues a bit longer.
Lincoln knew that time was a precious commodity. He was aware that the issues of the nation could only increase when they were neglected. Although the exact date of his utterance of these words is argued, the message perfectly fits his life. He used to write letters regarding the burden of his work. The burden of the future was weighing on his shoulders all the time.
Meaning of the Quote
The meaning of this quote is simple but very deep. To “evade” means to hide or run away from something. Lincoln is saying that you can try to hide from your work today. You can close your eyes and pretend a problem is not there. But the sun will still rise tomorrow. When it does, that same problem will still be waiting for you.
In fact, the problem might even be bigger by then. Responsibility is like a shadow. It follows you wherever you go. If you do not pay your bills today, you will still owe the money tomorrow. If you do not study for a test today, the test will still happen. Avoiding your duty does not make you free. It only makes your future more stressful.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by Victor Hugo on Inequality
Applicability of the Quote in Real Life
This wisdom can be applied in various aspects of your life. It is applicable to your health, your work, and your education.
To begin with, consider your health. When you are aware that you should exercise but you do not do it, you are dodging an obligation to your body. You can get more fatigued tomorrow. Small decisions in the end result in huge health problems. Selfcare now will spare you suffering in the future.
Second, think of your career or school projects. Evading is a type of procrastination. Your work will be of lower quality when you wait till the last minute to finish a task. You will get anxiety. By doing a small part of the work today, you make your future self much happier.
And lastly, it is so with our relationships. When you are in conflict with your friend, it is difficult to discuss it. Remaining silent is far easier. Yet remaining quiet does not remedy the injured emotions. Confronting the matter right here right now averts a larger fight next week.
Interesting Fact About Abraham Lincoln
Did you know that Abraham Lincoln is in the Wrestling Hall of Fame? He was a very talented wrestler before becoming a lawyer and a politician. He was more than six feet long and powerful. He is said to have lost just once out of approximately 300 matches. He was also reputed to play fairly and be very strong in the ring.
Conclusion
The words of Abraham Lincoln are a wake-up call to everybody. We tend to believe that it is safe to leave our problems for later. Lincoln makes us aware that “later” will never come. We are in charge of our own destiny by confronting our responsibilities today. We create a future that will be bright and free of concealed burdens. Start your most important task right now and see how much lighter you feel.
