Famous Quotes by Abraham Lincoln
- The power confided in me will be used to hold, occupy and possess the property and places... More
- My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to... More
- Military glory—the attractive rainbow that rises in showers of blood. More
- With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see... More
- What is conservatism? Is it not adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried? More
- Slavery is founded on the selfishness of man’s nature—opposition to it on his love of... More
- I have no purpose to introduce political and social equality between the white and black races.... More
- Having thus chosen our course, without guile and with pure purpose, let us renew our trust in... More
- If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein... More
- Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance... More
- The ballot is stronger than the bullet. More
- As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. More
- I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me. More
- Fair play is a jewell [sic]. Give him a chance if you can. More
- I have placed you at the head of the Army of the Potomac. More
- “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” I believe this government cannot endure,... More
- There is a vague popular belief that lawyers are necessarily dishonest. I say vague, because when... More
- I shall do less whenever I shall believe what I am doing hurts the cause, and I shall do more... More
- Although volume upon volume is written to prove slavery a very good thing, we never hear of the... More
- There is no permanent class of hired laborers amongst us. Twenty five years ago, I was a hired... More
- To give the victory to the right, not bloody bullets, but peaceful ballots only, are necessary. More
- My father, at the death of his father, was but six years of age; and he grew up, literally... More
- Although what I am now to say is to be, in form, a reprimand, it is not intended to add a pang to... More
- If there is ANY THING which it is the duty of the WHOLE PEOPLE to never entrust to any hands but... More
- I go for all sharing the privileges of the government, who assist in bearing its burthens. More
- It is said, the devil takes care of his own. Much more should a good spirit—the spirit of the... More
- Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive;... More
- Let us hope ... that by the best cultivation of the physical world, beneath and around us; and... More
- Peace does not appear so distant as it did. I hope it will come soon, and come to stay; and so... More
- I can only say that I have acted upon my best convictions without selfishness or malice, and that... More
- Much is being said about peace; and no man desires peace more ardently than I. Still I am yet... More
- But let the past as nothing be. For the future my view is that the fight must go on. More
- In the hope that it may be no intrusion upon the sacredness of your sorrow, I have ventured to... More
- We can succeed only by concert. It is not “Can any of us imagine better?” but “can we all... More
- I have desired that all my works and acts may be according to his will. More
- If God now wills the removal of a great wrong, and wills also that we of the North as well as you... More
- He who does something at the head of one Regiment, will eclipse him who does nothing at the head... More
- We accepted this war for an object, a worthy object, and the war will end when that object is... More
- We must work earnestly in the best light He gives us. More
- Surely He intends some great good to follow this mighty convulsion which no mortal could make,... More
- Yours of the 24th, asking “the best mode of obtaining a thorough knowledge of the law” is... More
- Onward and upward. More
- Others have been made fools of by the girls; but, this can never be with truth said of me. I most... More
- I am thankful to God for this approval of the people. But while deeply grateful for this mark of... More
- If there be those who would not save the Union, unless they could at the same time save slavery,... More
- The original of the picture you inclose, and which I return, was taken from life, and is, I... More
- This declared indifference, but as I must think, covert real zeal for the spread of slavery, I... More
- To you, more than to any others, the privilege is given, to assure that happiness [of saving the... More
- We hoped for a happy termination of this terrible war long before this; but God knows best, and... More
- In considering the policy to be adopted for suppressing the insurrection, I have been anxious and... More
- And, once more let me tell you, it is indispensable to you that you strike a blow. I am powerless... More
- We stand at once the wonder and admiration of the whole world, and we must enquire what it is... More
- The cause of civil liberty must not be surrendered at the end of one, or even one hundred defeats. More
- Twenty-two years ago Judge [then-Senator Stephen] Douglas and I first became acquainted. We were... More
- This is a world of compensations; and he who would be no slave, must consent to have no slave.... More
- Let us, therefore, study the incidents of this [war], as philosophy to learn wisdom from, and... More
- We must believe that He permits it [this war] for some wise purpose of his own, mysterious and... More
- This is essentially a People’s contest. On the side of the Union, it is a struggle for... More
- Gratefully accepting the proffered honor, [to inscribe a new legal work to him] I give the leave,... More
- An exorbitant fee should never be claimed. More
- But fight we must; and conquer we shall; in the end. More
- I have often inquired of myself, what great principle or idea it was that kept this Confederacy... More
- The government will support you to the utmost of its ability, which is neither more nor less than... More
- The enthusiastic uprising of the people in our cause, is our great reliance; and we can not... More
- This morning, as for some days past, it seems exceedingly probable that this Administration will... More
- [If not re-elected in 1864] then it will be my duty to so co-operate with the President elect, as... More
- I am absent altogether too much to be a suitable instructor for a law-student. When a man has... More
- I was raised to farm work. More
- Every head should be cultivated. More
- The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest... More
- The Almighty has His own purposes. More
- Suppose you go to war, you cannot fight always; and when, after much loss on both sides, and no... More
- In the untimely loss of your noble son, our affliction here, is scarcely less than your own. More
- Nor must Uncle Sam’s Web-feet be forgotten. At all the watery margins they have been present.... More
- I was losing interest in politics, when the repeal of the Missouri Compromise aroused me again.... More
- Beware of rashness. Beware of rashness, but with energy, and sleepless vigilance, go forward, and... More
- The leading rule for the lawyer, as for the man of every other calling, is diligence. Leave... More
- I am a patient man—always willing to forgive on the Christian terms of repentance; and also to... More
- Each [side in this war] looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and... More
- Quarrel not at all. No man resolved to make the most of himself, can spare time for personal... More
- Yet in all our rejoicing let us neither express, nor cherish, any harsh feeling towards any... More
- I know not how to aid you, save in the assurance of one of mature age, and much severe... More
- It is not merely for today, but for all time to come that we should perpetuate for our... More
- I was elected a Captain of Volunteers—a success which gave me more pleasure than any I have had... More
- You already know I desire that neither Father or Mother shall be in want of any comfort either in... More
- Work, work, work, is the main thing. More
- You are ambitious, which, within reasonable bounds, does good rather than harm. More
- I am anxious to afford some alleviation of your present distress. Perfect relief is not possible,... More
- The loss of enemies does not compensate for the loss of friends. More
- Our government rests in public opinion. Whoever can change public opinion, can change the... More
- But, slavery is good for some people! ! ! As a good thing, slavery is strikingly peculiar, in... More
- There is no grievance that is a fit object of redress by mob law. More
- As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly... More
- As to your kind wishes for myself, allow me to say I can not enter the ring on the money... More
- I was born and have ever remaind [sic] in the most humble walks of life. More
- I affect no contempt for the high eminence he [Senator Stephen Douglas] has reached. So reached,... More
- The signs look better. The Father of Waters again goes unvexed to the sea. Thanks to the great... More
- And then, the negro being doomed, and damned, and forgotten, to everlasting bondage, is the white... More
- That some should be rich, shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to... More
- Holding myself the humblest of all whose names were before the convention, I feel in especial... More
Dictionary Tip:
Lookup any word on eNotes with our dictionary. Highlight the word and press SHIFT + D for a definition, or SHIFT + T for a synonym.
