Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Much will be written and said today about Abraham Lincoln on this, the 200th anniversary of his birth.
Some will reflect on his role in abolishing slavery and preserving the Union during a divisive Civil War. Others will lament the tragedy of his assassination. Still others, in view of the recent change in administrations, will discuss our new President's very public references to Lincoln and his announced attempt to mimic some of Lincoln's approaches to governing.
Indeed Lincoln's words are wise and much about him is worthy of emulation. Yet of all of the words he wrote and spoke, and the wise quotations that abound in print, our thoughts this day turn to a story he told in 1859 that have particular bearing during this current time of national crisis:
"It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: 'And this, too, shall pass away.' How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!"*
Timely, comforting words, in KSL's view, from our nation's 16th President who was born two centuries ago today.
