The Ten Cannots

This appeared in a blog I read called "Christian Personal Finance." It was attributed to Abraham Lincoln. I always check stuff like this out before passing it on. Turns out it was originally written by Reverend William Boetcker. You can read about him here. This link will also explain why his words have been attributed to Lincoln. Here are Boetcker's words "The Ten Cannots." Good words for election time and for Congress any time.

• You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
• You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
• You cannot help little men by tearing down big men.
• You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
• You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
• You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
• You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
• You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
• You cannot build character and courage by destroying men's initiative and independence.
• And you cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves.