How People are Like Trees (and why that’s a secret to a more joyful life)

“But can you tell me where he gets his whiskey?”

— Abraham Lincoln (or maybe not)

In 1863, the New York Herald published this story regarding President Lincoln’s response to criticism of General Grant:

A committee of abolition war managers waited upon the President and demanded the General’s removal, on the false charge that he was a whiskey drinker and little better than a common drunkard. “Ah!” exclaimed Honest Old Abe, “You surprise me, gentlemen. But can you tell me where he gets his whiskey?” “We cannot, Mr. President. But why do you desire to know?” “Because, if I can only find out, I will send a barrel of this wonderful whiskey to every general in the army.”

No one’s quite sure if Lincoln actually said this. And if he did, it’s likely he took inspiration from others before him who had said similar things. My favorite of these might be King George II. An advisor criticized one of the king’s military appointments, saying he was…