Great Thinkers

		Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
As a young man, Lincoln continued to educate himself, and asked others to help him study grammar.

Permission to Make a Difference Can a man from the backwoods of Kentucky change the world for good with his thoughts? Absolutely. Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, believed in the freedom guaranteed to all Americans by the U.S. Declaration of Independence, and gave himself permission to think and make a difference.
		He worked hard to become U.S. President, made difficult choices for the U.S., but ultimately his thinking resulted in the freeing of slaves-a legacy that continues to benefit all ethnic groups in America, and in most of the Western world. Here's an example of Lincoln's great thinking about people: "Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."

Abraham Lincoln's path to becoming a Great Thinker:

- Born in a log cabin, Hardin County, Kentucky. Worked hard with country chores, little time for childhood education.

- Lincoln had less than one year of formal schooling in his entire life, but loved to learn.

- Basic school, family (especially his stepmother), and personal drive helped Lincoln learn to read and write at an early age-then he read the Bible and other books when they were available.

- Lincoln enjoyed conversation, which helped him become a great debater and lawyer.

- As a young man, Lincoln continued to educate himself, and asked others to help him study grammar. Also read books on law, and became a licensed lawyer in 1836.

- Used his natural skills, charisma, ability to debate, and self-taught education to gain elected office-proof that you don't have to have traditional education to succeed.

- Became 16th President of the United States during one of the most difficult periods in the U.S.'s history: the slavery issue and the secession of the South. Lincoln believed that the U.S. must not divide into two countries, and worked against amazing odds to achieve unity.

- Lincoln was focused on the major task. Many other things distract a U.S. president, but Lincoln kept his eye on the major goal-thus he accomplished it.

Give yourself permission to think! Ask yourself these questions . . .

Learn more!
Follow these links for courses and degree programs that relate to these thoughts: degree programs in human services; online degrees in organizational leadership; online social work degree programs; and non-profit management degrees.

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"Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it."
-- David Starr Jordan