Weaknesses of Human Nature - Dale Carnegie's Success Education Book 1

Author: Carnegie
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2006-07-01
Features: On April 15, 1865, Lincoln lay dying in a cheap hotel room across from Ford's Theater. He had been shot in the theater. Lincoln's slender body lay slumped on the bed, which was slightly too short for him. Above the bed, a cheap reproduction of Rosa Bonheur's painting "Market Scene" hung. A gas lamp cast a dim, sickly yellow glow. When Lincoln lay dying, Secretary of War Stanton said, "Here lies the greatest president in the history of mankind." What was the secret of Lincoln's success in dealing with people? I have studied Lincoln's life for 10 years and spent three years writing and polishing a book called "The Light of Human Nature." I believe I have done everything humanly possible to gain a detailed and thorough understanding of Lincoln's personality and home life. I have also conducted special research on how Lincoln interacted with others. Did he like to criticize others? Ah, yes. When he was young, in Indiana, he didn't just criticize but also wrote satirical poems and letters, leaving them on paths where they were sure to be found. The consequences of one such letter left a lifelong impression on him. While practicing law in Springfield, Illinois, Lincoln also published articles in newspapers, openly attacking his opponents. But he did this only occasionally. In the fall of 1842, he mocked an arrogant and combative Irishman named James Shields. Lincoln published an unsigned letter in the Springfield Republican mocking Shields, causing the townspeople to laugh heartily. Shields was a sensitive and proud man, and he was furious. He found out who wrote the letter and rode out to challenge Lincoln to a duel. The opponent got to choose the weapon, and since his arm was long, he chose a cavalry sword and studied fencing with a West Point graduate. On the day of the duel, Lincoln and Shields met on a sandbar in the Mississippi River, prepared to fight to the death. But in the last minute, their assistants stopped the duel. This was the most terrifying private event in Lincoln's life. In the art of dealing with people, he learned an invaluable lesson. He never wrote another insulting letter and never mocked anyone again. From then on, he never criticized anyone for anything. During the Civil War, time and again, Lincoln appointed new generals to lead his troops, and each one—McCook, Pope, Burnside, Hooker, Grant—was defeated, leaving Lincoln to walk despondently. Half the country cursed the incompetent generals. But Lincoln remained silent, quoting his favorite motto: "Don't judge others, or they won't judge you." When Mrs. Lincoln and others criticized the Southerners, Lincoln replied, "Don't blame them. If I were in their situation, I would be the same." The Battle of Gettysburg took place on the first three days of July 1863. On the evening of July 4, when General Lee began his retreat south, dark clouds gathered, and rain poured down. When he led his defeated army back to the Potomac, he found himself facing a swollen river he couldn't cross, with a victorious Union army in pursuit. Lee was trapped and couldn't escape. Lincoln saw this—a golden opportunity, a chance to defeat Lee's army and end the war immediately. Therefore, Lincoln ordered Grant not to hold a military meeting but to attack Lee at once. Lincoln ordered by phone and sent a special messenger to see Grant, urging him to take immediate action.