The 10 Cannots

By William J. H. Boetcker

• You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
  
• You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
  
• You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
  
• You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
  
• You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.
• You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
  
• You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
  
• You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
  
• You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
  
• You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not do for themselves.
  

(William J. H. Boetcker (1873 – 1962) was an American religious leader and influential public speaker. An outspoken political conservative, Rev. Boetcker is perhaps best remembered for his authorship of a pamphlet entitled The Ten Cannots. Originally published in 1916, it is often misattributed to Abraham Lincoln.)