About this quote

Lincoln points to faith and community as anchors in hard times while refusing to hand responsibility to them entirely. Rely on institutions for support, yes, but face the work yourself and show up where it matters. Where are you leaning on structures instead of doing the hard, necessary actions today?

When to use it

• At a town meeting, use the line to remind people that institutions can support action, but volunteers must step up and do the work.
• Before volunteering at a relief effort, say the sentence to yourself as a prompt to stop making excuses and take concrete responsibility.
• When mentoring someone who leans on tradition to avoid change, cite the passage to push them to act rather than hide behind institutions.
• Use the line in a short speech to call your team to serve the community actively, not just rely on established organizations to solve every problem.