“You Were Right, and I Was Wrong”

PRIDE SEEMS TO PREVAIL in the leadership of our country. Humility is a Christian virtue that seems lost in our postmodern world. Sadly, this virtue is lacking among modern believers in Christ. One of the secrets of Lincoln’s greatness as a leader was his humility.

In the following letter, Lincoln demonstrated that his position did not exempt him from making mistakes. His apology to Grant marks one of the greatest examples of Christian leadership.

Major General Grant

My dear General,

I do not remember that you and I ever met personally. I write this now as a grateful acknowledgment for the almost inestimable service you have done the country. I wish to say a word further. When you first reached the vicinity of Vicksburg, I thought you should do what you finally did—march the troops across the neck, run the batteries with the transports, and thus go below; and I never had any faith, except a general hope that you knew better than I, that the Yazoo Pass expedition and the like could succeed. When you got below and took Port­Gibson, Grand Gulf, and vicinity, I thought you should go down the river and join Gen. Banks; and when you turned Northward East of the Big Black, I feared it was a mistake. I now wish to make the personal acknowledgment that you were right, and I was wrong.

Yours very truly,

A. Lincoln

Matthew 23:12 says, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” The way of the world is self-exultation and self-preservation. Ego and pride often get in the way of doing what is best for others. A wise person understands that in the multitude of counsel, there is wisdom. We do well when we seek the advice and counsel of godly people.