Well, I wish some of you would tell me the brand of whiskey that Grant drinks. I would like to send a barrel of it to my other generals.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Lincoln uses irony to suggest his generals are already drinking too much, implying they are drunk on power or liquor rather than strategy.
- In plain terms
- He is joking that his generals need help staying sober.
- What can you take from it?
- Humor can defuse criticism of leadership.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does humor soften harsh truths?
Another view
The joke relies on historical stereotypes about drinking.
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