Explore Quotes by Abraham Lincoln

What I want is to get done what the people desire to have done, and the question for me is how to find that out exactly.

None seemed to think the injury arose from the use of a bad thing but from the abuse of a very good thing

The provision of the Constitution giving the war making power to Congress was dictated, as I understand it, by the following reasons: Kings had always been involving and impoverishing their people in wars, pretending generally, if not always, that the good of the people was the object. This our convention understood to be the most oppressive of all kingly oppressions, and they resolved to so frame the constitution that no man should hold the power of bringing this oppression upon us.

A new book is like a friend that I have yet to meet

I have just read your dispatch about sore-tongued and fatigued horses, Will you pardon me for asking what the horses of your army have done since the Battle of Antietam that fatigues anything?

It is my pleasure that my children are free and happy, and unrestrained by parental tyranny. Love is the chain whereby to bind a child to its parents.

A jury too often has at least one member more ready to hang the panel than to hang the traitor.

Be excellent and party on dudes.

Freedom is the natural condition of the human race, in which the Almighty intended men to live. Those who fight the purpose of the Almighty will not succeed. They always have been, they always will be beaten.

I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me.

A long visit to a friend is often a great bore. Never make people twice glad.

The only assurance of our nation's safety is to lay our foundation in morality and religion.

We know nothing of what will happen in future, but by the analogy of experience.

Let the people know the truth and the country is safe.

If I care to listen to every criticism, let alone act on them, then this shop may as well be closed for all other businesses. I have learned to do my best, and if the end result is good then I do not care for any criticism, but if the end result is not good, then even the praise of ten angels would not make the difference.

Honor is better than honors.

A fellow once came to me to ask for an appointment as a minister abroad. Finding he could not get that, he came down to some more modest position. Finally, he asked to be made a tide-waiter. When he saw he could not get that, he asked me for an old pair of trousers. It is sometimes well to be humble.

Tell the truth and you won't have so much to remember

You can always lie to others and hide your actions from them... but you can not fool yourself

I shall be most happy indeed if I shall be an humble instrument in the hands of the Almighty, and of this his almost chosen people.

Don't kneel to me, that is not right. You must kneel to God only, and thank Him for the liberty you will hereafter enjoy.