“You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.”

— Abraham Lincoln

Last update Oct. 1, 2023. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves." by Abraham Lincoln?

Abraham Lincoln 618

16th President of the United States 1809–1865

Related quotes

“Do you know what happens with people who cannot govern themselves? That's right. Others come in to govern for them”

Cormac McCarthy book Blood Meridian

Source: Blood Meridian (1985), Chapter III

“It's such a simple thing, really. It's an awareness that the other people in the world are other people, and that you are one of them. That every time you have a chance to help somebody out, to do what's right instead of what you think you're supposed to do, you should do it.”

Keith Olbermann (1959) American sports and political commentator

" Senior Convocation Speech http://www.news.cornell.edu/campus/Olbermann_speech.html," Cornell University (1998-05-23)

“The people cannot delegate to government the power to do anything which would be unlawful for them to do themselves.”

John Locke (1632–1704) English philosopher and physician

This might be a paraphrase of some of Locke's expressions or ideas, but the earliest publication of the statement in this form seems to be one made in Oversight Hearing on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act (1997).
Misattributed

“Speak up against those who cannot speak for themselves. Let’s speak in the language of the youths. Visit schools visit hospitals. What assistance do we offer those who cannot help themselves? We should assist rape victims. We should be the voice of the society.”

Folake Solanke (1932) Nigerian lawyer

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/03/kidnap-of-schoolgirls-stop-paying-ransom-to-criminals-solanke-tells-fg/ Folake Solanke in 2021 speaking out against the ills in society.