The 10 Cannots

1. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
2. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
3. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
4. You cannot lift the wage-earner by pulling down the wage-payer.
5. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
6. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
7. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
8. You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
9. You cannot build character and courage by taking away men’s initiative and independence.
10. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

The 10 Cannots  while often attributed to Lincoln are the work of Reverend Wm Boetcker.