“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
- February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865
- American
- Politician, lawyer
- As the 16th President of the United States, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation and led the Civil War to maintain the unity of the nation.
Quote
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
Explanation
This quote, famously spoken by Abraham Lincoln during his debates with Stephen A. Douglas in 1858, uses the metaphor of a divided house to illustrate the fragility of a nation or organization that is deeply torn by internal conflict. In this context, Lincoln was addressing the moral and political division within the United States over the issue of slavery. He argued that the country could not continue to function or endure as a unified entity if it remained split over fundamental issues, such as whether slavery should be allowed to expand into new territories. The “house” represents the nation, and the “division” reflects the ideological and political fractures that were threatening the country’s stability.
Historically, this quote became a powerful statement about the looming Civil War, which would break out just a few years later. Lincoln believed that the nation could not remain half slave and half free; it had to resolve its internal conflicts for the sake of its long-term survival. This message resonated with Americans at the time, warning them that a divided nation was in danger of collapse, whether politically, socially, or economically.
In modern times, the quote remains relevant when discussing issues of political polarization, national unity, or any group facing serious internal conflict. Whether in countries divided by partisan politics, corporations struggling with internal strife, or even families facing division, the idea that unity is essential for stability and survival continues to resonate. It underscores the importance of finding common ground and addressing deep divisions before they become irreparable.
