Abraham Lincoln was born in an extremely poor family in America. His father was a carpenter. His mother Nancy worked hard to educate him. When Lincoln went to school, other children made fun of him for his dress and poverty. Lincoln could not bear this and told his mother, ‘Mother, I am subjected to a lot of ridicule by fellow-students. Please get me a good dress.’ Taking him close, his mother said, ‘Son, you must see our condition first. We are not well-to-do. Feeding all of us itself is a problem. In this condition, how can you expect fancy clothes? Act according to your condition. Sooner or later, you will reach the level of your deservedness. Don’t be deterred by other people’s taunts. Live with self-confidence. Self-confidence is the source of all success.’ Thus, she encouraged him.

From that moment, Lincoln became a person of great self-confidence and pursued his studies and activities with honest effort. He was never upset over anything. Self-confidence was his armour. Devoid of material wealth and comforts, he was endowed with plenty of self-confidence.

The Difficult Days Of Young Lincoln

His mother passed away after sometime. But her words of wisdom were firmly entrenched in his heart. His father married again. It is quite common amongst Westerners. His stepmother was also quite affectionate towards Lincoln and encouraged him to persevere on the path shown by his mother. Life was difficult for him throughout. After sometime, his father passed away.

He wanted to have some employment. However, he thought that self-reliance was better than serving others and started a business of his own. Lincoln started a new business, which began to flourish. He conducted his business in the most upright manner. But his difficulties went on increasing and his debts accumulated. Lincoln carried on with the strength of his mother’s advice regardless of all difficulties. But some of his so-called friends put obstacles in his path out of jealousy. Consequently, Lincoln suffered heavy loss in the business and sold whatever was left with him to repay the debts. He left the village and reached California. As advised by his mother, he developed self-confidence, strove hard day and night and acquired good education. Lincoln strictly lived in this manner. Seeing his upright character, some of his friends felt that he could very easily be elected to the state legislature. Pleased with his noble qualities, his friends urged him to contest the parliamentary elections, expressing their solidarity. They advised him to stand for election and promised their help. Lincoln stood for election and won with a thumping majority. By his honesty and hard work, he rose to become the President of the United States of America. At the moment of his success, he recollected his mother’s words. He fully realized the importance of self-confidence.

In those days, racial discrimination was prevalent in America. He advocated that one should not give scope for differences based on colour of the skin as the blood flowing in everybody was the same. The slaves were treated in a very harsh manner by the Whites in those days. Abraham Lincoln wanted to ameliorate their condition and secure equal rights for them. He was of the firm conviction that all human beings were equal and any differences on the basis of colour or race were improper. He tirelessly worked for the cause of the slaves. Eventually, he succeeded in the abolition of slavery in the United States. He is still held in high esteem for this noble work. Self-confidence is very essential for everybody. One can accomplish any task through self-confidence. This was the lesson Lincoln taught to the world. (SSS Vol.33, p. 276 / 350)