Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Lincoln emphasizes preparing properly before acting, suggesting most time should be spent getting ready.
- In plain terms
- Spend most of your time preparing before you start a task.
- What can you take from it?
- Preparation is key to efficiency and success.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is too much preparation harmful?
- How do you know you are ready?
Another view
It assumes preparation always guarantees success and ignores time limits.
More from Abraham Lincoln
Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.
Permalink to quote #104 He can compress the most words into the smallest ideas of any man I ever met.
Permalink to quote #106 I will study and get ready, and perhaps my chance will come.
Permalink to quote #103
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