Quotes By Abraham Lincoln

Our men are not moles, and can't dig under the earth; they are not birds, and can't fly through the air. There is no way but to march across, and that they must do.

The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle-field, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.

We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.

Continue to execute all the express provisions of our national Constitution, and the Union will endure forever.

Why should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there any better or equal hope, in the world?

I bring to the work [of president] an honest heart; I dare not tell you that I bring a head sufficient for it.

There will be no blood shed unless it be forced upon the Government. The Government will not use force unless force is used against it.

If this country cannot be saved without giving up that principle - I was about to say I would rather be assassinated on this spot than to surrender it.

I have often pondered over the dangers which were incurred by the men who assembled here, and framed and adopted that Declaration of Independence. I have pondered over the toils that were endured by the officers and soldiers of the army who achieved that Independence.

I have never had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence.

I shall endeavor to take the ground I deem most just to the North, the East, the West, the South, and the whole country.

I shall do all that may be in my power to promote a peaceful settlement of all our difficulties. The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am.

I have been occupying a position, since the Presidential election, of silence, of avoiding public speaking, of avoiding public writing. I have been doing so because I thought, upon full consideration, that was the proper course for me to take.

While I hold myself without mock modesty, the humblest of all individuals that have ever been elevated to the Presidency, I have a more difficult task to perform than any one of them.

Without a name, perhaps without a reason why I should have a name, there has fallen upon me a task such as did not rest even upon the Father of his country.

I do not deny the possibility that the people may err in an election; but if they do, the true cure is in the next election.

I hold that while man exists, it is his duty to improve not only his own condition, but to assist in ameliorating mankind; and therefore ... I am for those means which will give the greatest good to the greatest number.

What is our present condition? We have just carried an election on principles fairly stated to the people. Now we are told in advance, the government shall be broken up, unless we surrender to those we have beaten, before we take the offices.

You think slavery is right and ought to be extended; while we think it is wrong and ought to be restricted. That I suppose is the rub. It certainly is the only substantial difference between us.

I am sorry any republican inclines to dally with Pop. Sov. [popular sovereignty] of any sort. It acknowledges that slavery has equal rights with liberty, and surrenders all we have contended for.