The Importance of Gathering All the Facts

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States and is known for his leadership during the American Civil War and his advocacy for the abolition of slavery.

One day, a woman approached Lincoln and asked him to fire one of his generals. The woman believed that the general was incompetent and that he was putting soldiers' lives in danger.

Lincoln listened patiently to the woman's concerns and then asked her, "Madam, do you know the general's name?"

The woman admitted that she did not.

Lincoln replied, "Well then, how can I know that he is a bad general if I don't even know his name? If you can give me the name of the general, I will look into it."

The woman was taken aback and had to admit that she didn't know the general's name. She realized that she had been quick to judge without all the facts.

The story illustrates Lincoln's patience and wisdom as a leader. Rather than immediately taking action based on hearsay, he asked for more information and refused to make hasty decisions. He also encouraged the woman to think more critically and to gather more information before making judgments.

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