Abraham
Lincoln did not say this, although he should have.
It was actually written by Reverend William J. H. Boetcke, often erroneously
attributed to Honest Abe:
"You
cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
"You
cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
"You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
"You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
"You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
"You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
"You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
"You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
"You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative
and independence.
"You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and
should do for themselves."