HOW TO RESPOND TO CRITICISM

Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. Ecclesiastes 7:5 NLT

During the Civil War a plan for transferring regiments and mingling eastern and western troops was urged on Lincoln by a committee headed by Congressman Lovejoy.

After listening to the Congressman, Lincoln wrote a note to his Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton suggesting a transfer of regiments.

"Did Lincoln give you an order of that kind?" asked the Secretary.

"He did, sir" replied Lovejoy.

"Then he is a damned fool!" said Stanton.

"Do you mean to say the President is a damned fool?"

"Yes, sir” replied Stanton, “If he gave you such an order as that."

Congressman Lovejoy rushed back to Lincoln to tell him what happened.

"Did Stanton say I was a damned fool?" asked Lincoln.

Lovejoy said, “He did, sir, and repeated it."

The President was thoughtful. "If Stanton said I was a damned fool then I must be one. For he is nearly always right, and generally says what he means. I will step over and see him."[1]

If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. Proverbs 15:31 NLT

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[1] Abraham Lincoln The Prairie Years and The War Years

Carl Sandburg