Was Abraham Lincoln EVER happy?

[Rob Wick]

I've heard the quote before, Bill, but unfortunately Fehrenbacher's book doesn't go by quotes, it goes by the person reporting it. Do you know under what circumstances he supposedly said it, or to whom?

Best
Rob

[LincolnMan]

No, I don't. It sounds "iffy" to me as a Lincoln quote. I have the quote in a frame on the wall of my work office. Maybe someone on the Discussion Board can shed some light.

[RJNorton]

Bill, I have researched this one in the past and never found a source for it. Some books, internet sites, etc. say things like "attributed to Abraham Lincoln" but never with an actual source.

[LincolnMan]

I certainly agree with what it says.

[Donna McCreary]

I read somewhere (it's too late in the evening to go searching) that Martha Washington once wrote to her daughter in law, that every morning when she woke up, she made up her mind whether or not to be happy. (or something close) It seems that the quote "to be as happy as you want to be," (or a variation of the statement) has been a common mantra for many years.

[LincolnMan]

I'll have to look that one up Donna. Thanks!

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From Lloyd Lewis in Myths After Lincoln concerning Tad Lincoln regarding his father:

"Do you think my father is in heaven?" Tad asked one of those solemn, important men who had filled the White House since Saturday morning.
The man said yes, he was sure of it.

"I'm glad he has gone there," said the little boy in that difficult speech of his, "for he wasn't happy here. This wasn't a good place for him."

[Gene C]

The wisdom of the innocent!

[LincolnMan]

Yes, out of the mouths of babes!

[HerbS]

I think Tad saw and knew more than we will ever know!

[LincolnMan]

Yes, and it seemed that after the death of Willie, Abraham and Tad grew closer. Lincoln seemed happy with Tad at his side or nearby. Interesting to note Lincoln's arrival at fallen Richmond included his son Tad.

[Mylye2222]

He was happy when he could fulfill an applicant's wish who called at the White House, happy to bring relief and joy to his fellow citizen in need.

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(10-11-2012 05:48 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Yes, and it seemed that after the death of Willie, Abraham and Tad grew closer. Lincoln seemed happy with Tad at his side or nearby. Interesting to note Lincoln's arrival at fallen Richmond included his son Tad.

After Willie's death, and as his relationship with Robert was less warm ( although I have no doubt he loved Bob deeply too), he transferred almost all his paternal love on Tad, he clung to him. Tad's learning disabilities and new loneliness may have the more eadeared him to do so. It's shown in Spielbergs movie. The two looked inseparable.

[Anita]

Lincoln was happy when telling or listening to a joke. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved playing pranks on his friends.
Go here to see the Laughing Lincoln statue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZNTSrUuIU8

[LincolnMan]

Like all humans he had his times of being happy and those of being otherwise. I do know by living that not everyone has the same amounts of happiness as others necessarily.

[Mylye2222]

(11-27-2019 06:14 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Like all humans he had his times of being happy and those of being otherwise. I do know by living that not everyone has the same amounts of happiness as others necessarily.

Given to each being's backgrounds, some are actually more prone to happiness than others. It depends of many things. Your childhood, your family, your very character. Lincoln totally achieved all by himself. He wasn't part of those who got everything served to them on a silver plate. That added his motivation to succeed.

[RJNorton]

Those around him noticed that Lincoln could go from a happy state to a gloomy one very quickly. Fellow attorney Jonathan Birch said of Lincoln in court, "His eyes would sparkle with fun, and when he had reached the point in his narrative which invariably evoked the laughter of the crowd, nobody's enjoyment was greater than his. An hour later he might be seen in the same place or in some law office near by, but, alas, how different! His chair, no longer in the center of the room, would be leaning back against the wall; his feet drawn up and resting on the front rounds so that his knees and chair were about on a level; his hat tipped slightly forward as if to shield his face; his eyes no longer sparkling with fun or merriment, but sad and downcast and his hands clasped around his knees. There, drawn up within himself as it were, he would sit, the very picture of dejection and gloom. Thus absorbed have I seen him sit for hours at a time defying the interruption of even his closest friends. No one ever thought of breaking the spell by speech; for by his moody silence and abstraction he had thrown about him a barrier so dense and impenetrable no one dared to break through. It was a strange picture and one I have never forgotten."