This quote is essentially about patience and the value of nurturing versus destructive behavior. The egg and the fowl symbolize a goal or result that one hopes to achieve. The act of hatching the egg represents patience, care, and nurturing. On the other hand, smashing the egg symbolizes impatience, forcefulness, and destructive behavior.

Abraham Lincoln is suggesting that we are more likely to achieve our desired results (the fowl) by patiently and carefully nurturing our goals (hatching the egg) rather than rushing or forcing things (smashing the egg). If you smash the egg, you destroy the potential fowl inside. But if you wait for the egg to hatch, you allow the fowl to come into being in its own time.

In today’s fast-paced world, this quote is a reminder to slow down and take time to nurture our goals and ambitions. In the race to get ahead, we often resort to ‘smashing the egg’ – seeking shortcuts, ignoring the process, or using forceful means to achieve our goals. But in doing so, we may destroy the very thing we are trying to achieve.

In terms of personal development, this quote emphasizes the importance of patience, perseverance, and the process of growth. Just like a chick needs time to develop within the egg before it’s ready to hatch, we also need time to grow and develop. Trying to rush personal development or force changes can be counterproductive and may even cause harm. Instead, we should focus on nurturing our growth, taking the time to learn, and allowing ourselves to evolve at our own pace.