nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want fo test a man's character, give him power. express your views on this.
Answers
Though I heard this quotation many years ago, I haven’t given it a lot of thought since. It rang true the first time I heard it. But I never devoted much thought to WHY it rings true. That is, WHY does power tend to test a person’s character more thoroughly than adversity? Recently I’ve given that question more thought. This is not the definitive interpretation of the quotation. These are just my thoughts. Your thoughts may be different.
We should keep in mind that Lincoln was not suggesting that adversity doesn’t test one’s character. He’s saying that a person’s inner character is more likely to be revealed through their use of power than through their response to adversity. Lincoln is making a general observation. As with all quotations, they have limited application and there are exceptions. We’re not addressing the exceptions just now.
Adversity doesn’t require character. Adversity implies that someone is being forced into a powerless position where they must stand up for themselves. Adversity may test someone’s strength of will, but adversity can be overcome by mere persistence or stubbornness; it doesn’t take any great character to stand up and fight off an attack.