“Concede that the new government of Louisiana is only to what it should be, as the egg is to the fowl; we shall sooner have the fowl by hatching the egg than by smashing it.”
- 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
“Concede that the new government of Louisiana is only to what it should be, as the egg is to the fowl; we shall sooner have the fowl by hatching the egg than by smashing it.”
Explanation
In this quote, Abraham Lincoln uses the metaphor of hatching an egg to describe his approach to the reconstruction of the Southern states after the Civil War, specifically Louisiana. He is arguing that the process of rebuilding the Union should be gradual and patient, much like allowing an egg to hatch into a fully formed fowl. The egg represents the new government in Louisiana, which was set up under Lincoln’s Ten Percent Plan. This plan was designed to encourage the Southern states to rejoin the Union by offering them a relatively lenient process of reintegration. Lincoln suggests that, instead of harshly rejecting or destroying these attempts at government rebuilding (like “smashing the egg”), it is better to support and nurture them to maturity—just as one would wait for the egg to hatch into a complete and functioning whole.
This metaphor highlights Lincoln’s belief in mercy and reconstruction rather than retribution after the war. His emphasis on gradual reintegration reflected his desire to heal the nation and bring the South back into the fold without excessive punishment. By the time of this statement, the war was nearing its end, and Lincoln was already envisioning how to rebuild the Union and reintegrate the Confederate states, while offering them a path to political reintegration without pushing for extreme penalties. His strategy was to build trust and foster unity, rather than destroy the South’s ability to function as part of the Union, which could lead to more long-term division.
In the modern context, this approach can be applied to post-conflict or post-crisis situations where reconciliation is key. Lincoln’s view advocates for restorative justice—encouraging the rebuilding of institutions and communities rather than resorting to punitive measures. It emphasizes the value of patience and gradual reform over drastic action. This idea resonates in current debates on how to approach issues like criminal justice reform, national reconciliation in divided societies, and the challenges of nation-building after conflict or revolution. Just as Lincoln sought to “hatch” a new, unified Union, modern efforts to rebuild nations and communities after periods of violence or discord can take inspiration from his belief in thoughtful, nurturing processes rather than abrupt or destructive actions.
