Nothing changes - most remains the same

I am reading a book on my Kindle from Amazon containing the writings of Abraham Lincoln.  What a treasure!  Most reads of that sort are treasures, if one appreciates that kind of history.  I like history going back that far, this, 140 years or so.  It is interesting to me to see how they thought and why.  It is for that reason that I say, Nothing changes - most remains the same. 

There is a lot that can be talked about in the read of what Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president said.  Certainly, I will not capture all of it - not nearly - in one blog (Perhaps we will do another or two of my thinking on the writings.).  One thing that Lincoln brought out with regard to some subject he was writing or speaking about was telling: most things done have good and bad; it is best to have more good than bad.  Wow.  Certainly none of us have the capacity, as much as we would like, to have all good in everything we do - but we can work to have as much good as possible. 

One interesting recap by the author was in a speech given just after being reelected president.  The was was on a wind down.  Things were still tough, though. From a speech made Nov. 10, 1864, Lincoln had these words:

"It has long been a grave question whether any government not too strong for the liberties of its people can be strong enough to maintain its existence in great emergencies.  On this point, the present rebellion (Civil War) brought our republic to a severe test, and the presidential election, occurring in regular course during the rebellion, added not a little to strain.... What has occurred in this case must ever occur in similar cases.  Human nature will not change."  He goes on to talk about the nature of mankind - weak and strong, silly and wise, bad and good.  I like the following: "So long as I have been here, I have not willingly planted a thorn in any man's bosom... it adds nothing to my satisfaction that any other man may be disappointed or pained by the result."  Wow.  "Honest Abe," they called him.

Admittedly, to me at least, things have changed, looking at our present seat of government.  Well, maybe this is a good lesson rather than "nothing ever changes."

(Quotes taken from The Writings of Abraham Lincoln, published Apr. 29, 2008, B&R Samizadat Express - editor not given.)

Well come back to more on Lincoln and his writings.  What a great read.