Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him work diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built.
Meaning
This quote teaches that hardship should not become an excuse for harming someone else. If a person does not have a home, success, or security, Lincoln encourages them to work toward building their own rather than destroying what another person has built. The deeper message is about choosing creation over resentment: someone else's success does not have to make your future smaller. When we build patiently and treat other people's work and property with respect, we help create a world where what we build can also be respected.
How to Use
- When someone has something you want, identify one practical step you can take toward creating your own opportunity.
- Do not damage another person's work simply because you disagree with their success or advantages.
- Use disappointment as a signal to improve your skills, habits, or plans rather than taking destructive action.
- Treat other people's time, property, and achievements with respect, knowing that you would want the same treatment for yourself.
Copy and Use This Quote
Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him work diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built.
— Abraham Lincoln
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does “let him work diligently and build one for himself” mean?
It means that when someone lacks something, the better response is to work toward creating it rather than destroying another person's possession. The quote emphasizes personal effort, responsibility, respect for others, and constructive action.
What is the main message of this Abraham Lincoln quote?
The main message is to respond to hardship by building rather than destroying. Lincoln presents honest effort and respect for what others have created as a stronger path than resentment, violence, or taking away someone else's security.
Does this quote mean everyone can succeed through hard work alone?
Not necessarily. The quote emphasizes personal responsibility, but it does not prove that circumstances are equal for everyone. Its practical lesson is that, when facing difficulty, constructive effort is preferable to deliberately harming another person's success.
What does the “house” symbolize in this quote?
The house can be understood literally as a home or more broadly as something a person has built and values—security, work, property, or a better life. The central contrast is between destroying another person's foundation and creating your own.
How can this quote apply to modern life?
It can apply whenever envy or frustration appears. Instead of sabotaging a competitor, coworker, neighbor, or friend's progress, focus on improving your own position. Building your own success creates something lasting without requiring someone else to lose theirs.