The Ten Cannots

The Ten Cannots of Abraham Lincoln have been circulating since forever. President Reagan has quoted them, Lincoln impersonators have used them in their historic presentations, and now they are circling the globe via e-mail. Only one slight problem… President Lincoln is not the author. They were written by a Reverend Boetscher over 90 years ago. See the full story here.

Nonetheless, like all good wisdom, they are as applicable today, maybe more so, as when they were written. If our politicians had to live by these rules it would ruin their franchise! If ordinary citizens took them to heart our country would be much better off.

"The 10 Cannots"
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatreds.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
-- Written by Rev. Boetscher