A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free.

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.

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

My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union ... If I could save the Union without freeing any slave... if I could save it by freeing all the slaves... I shall do more whenever I shall believe doing more will help the cause.

Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.

Where there is a man who does not labor because another is compelled to work for him, there slavery is.