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About this quote

What does it mean?
Lincoln humorously suggests that biographers have done him more damage than his assassin.
In plain terms
Writers have treated Lincoln worse than Booth did.
What can you take from it?
Critics can distort legacy more than physical attacks.

Where it applies

  • historical debates
  • public image

Putting it to work

  • question biased accounts

Questions to consider

  • How do biographies shape legacy?

Another view

This statement is likely rhetorical or unverified.

More from Abraham Lincoln

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  2. The cheek of every American must tingle with shame as he reads the silly, flat and dishwatery utterances of the man who has to be pointed out to intelligent fo…

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  3. We leave to some Emil Ludwig or his ilk the drawing of Abraham Lincoln's portrait with rosy little wings. Lincoln's significance lies in his not hesitating bef…

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