Quotes By Abraham Lincoln

Many eloquent men fail utterly; and they are not, as a class, generally successful.

Although volume upon volume is written to prove slavery a very good thing, we never hear of the man who wishes to take the good of it, by being a slave himself.

In all that the people can individually do as well for themselves, government ought not to interfere.

If the negro is a man, why then my ancient faith teaches me that ``all men are created equal;'' and that there can be no moral right in connection with one man's making a slave of another.

Stand on middle ground and hold the ship level and steady.

According to our ancient faith, the just powers of government are derived from the consent of the governed.

Stand with anybody that stands RIGHT. Stand with him while he is right and PART with him when he goes wrong.

Slavery is founded in the selfishness of man's nature - opposition to it is [in] his love of justice.

The fourth of July has not quite dwindled away; it is still a great day - for burning fire-crackers!!!

The Union, in any event, won't be dissolved. We don't want to dissolve it, and if you attempt it, we won't let you.

Let minor differences, and personal preferences, if there be such; go to the winds. Let it be seen by the result, that the cause of free-men and free-labor is stronger in Chicago that day, than ever before.

To give victory to the right, not bloody bullets, but peaceful ballots only, are necessary.

Legislation and adjudication must follow, and conform to, the progress of society.

Wise councils may accelerate or mistakes delay it, but, sooner or later the victory is sure to come

May they [firefighters] extinguish all the bad flames, but keep the flame of patriotism ever burning brightly in the hearts of the ladies.

How in God's name do you let such paragraphs into the Tribune? ... I confess it astonishes me.

The leading rule for the Lawyer, as for the man of every other calling, is diligence. Leave nothing for to-morrow which can be done to-day.

I have always hated slavery, I think as much as any Abolitionist.

I planted myself upon the truth, and the truth only, so far as I knew it, or could be brought to know it.

As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy.