Quotations and Literature Forum

This one seems like it should say "You can not help the poor by destroying the rich.", instead of what it does say: "You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You can help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
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Abraham Lincoln"

The "Sound advise from Abraham Lincoln" was not written by Abraham Lincoln. They were written by Rev. Boetscher about 75 years ago and passed off as Lincoln sayings. They do sound a bit like Lincoln's sayings, and they really expressed some of Lincoln's own sentiments. But they are not by Abraham Lincoln, and are not authentic.

"The 10 Cannots"
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatreds.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
~William J. H. Boetcker, 1916

http://www.lincolnpresenters.com/ALPNews.htm

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"Follow me," the wise man said, but he walked behind...

Thanks for the corrections. I've set this up on this site with the correct attribution.

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Michael Moncur
Owner and maintainer, The Quotations Page