Abraham Lincoln

Explore 66 quotes by Abraham Lincoln

Physically speaking, we cannot separate. We cannot remove our respective sections from each other, nor build an impassable wall between them. A husband and wife may be divorced, and go out of the presence and beyond the reach of each other; but the different parts of our country cannot do this. They cannot but remain face to face, and intercourse, either amicable or hostile, must continue between them.

Abraham Lincoln

First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Political division

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1861 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "First Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1861, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "First Inaugral Address, March 4, 1861." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 2018.

Important principles may and must be inflexible.

Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Moral principles Moral absolutism

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Last Public Address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Statement Type

Precepts and axioms

Language

English

Time

1865 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Last Public Address." 11 Apr. 1865, White House, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Speech on Reconstruction, Washington, D.C., April 11, 1865." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

There is no grievance that is a fit object of redress by mob law.

Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

The mob Protest Political progress Politics

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Address before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1838 1830s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "The Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions." 27 Jan. 1838, Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, IL, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Address to the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois, January 27, 1838." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832-1858, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

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

Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Slavery Justice Nature of God Human nature

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

The Repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the Property of its Restoration: Speech in Reply to Senator Douglas

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1854 1850s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "The Repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the Property of its Restoration: Speech in Reply to Senator Douglas." 16 Oct. 1854, Peoria, IL, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Speech at Peoria, Illinois, October 16, 1854." Lincoln Speeches, edited by Allen C. Guelzo and Richard Beeman. Penguin, 2012.

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed, is more important than any other one thing.

Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

How to succeed Determination Persistence Success

Author

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Letters of Abraham Lincoln

Medium

Letter

Statement Type

Advice

Language

English

Time

1855 1850s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. Letter to Isham Reavis. 5 Nov. 1855.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. Letter to Isham Reavis, November 5, 1855." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832-1858, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

I hold that, in contemplation of universal law and of the Constitution, the Union of these States is perpetual... Continue to execute all the express provisions of our National Constitution, and the Union will endure forever - it being impossible to destroy it except by some action not provided for in the instrument itself.

Abraham Lincoln

First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

American government US Constitution American politics

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1861 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "First Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1861, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it.

Abraham Lincoln

First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

American experiment American government US Constitution American politics

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1861 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "First Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1861, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "First Inaugral Address, March 4, 1861." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 2018.

War, at the best, is terrible, and this war of ours, in its magnitude and in its duration, is one of the most terrible.

Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

American Civil War War

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Address at a Sanitary Fair in Philadelphia

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1864 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Address at a Sanitary Fair in Philadelphia." Sanitary Fair. 16 Jun. 1864, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Address at Great Central Sanitary Fair, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1864." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

A man who denies to other men equality of rights is hardly worthy of freedom; but I would give even to him all the rights which I claim for myself.

Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Equality

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Franklin in France

Language

English

Time

1906 1900s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. Quoted by John Hay in "Franklin in France," Addresses of John Hay. The Century Co., 1906.

Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up, and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better.

Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Revolution Government

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Speech in United States House of Representatives: The War with Mexico

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1848 1840s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Speech in United States House of Representatives: The War with Mexico." 12 Jan. 1848, US House of Representatives, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Speech in the U.S. House of Representatives on the War with Mexico, January 12, 1848." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832-1858, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.

Abraham Lincoln

More information about this quote

Topic

God's favor

Author

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Journals of Abraham Lincoln

Medium

Personal journal

Language

English

Time

1862 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. Fragment written by Abraham Lincoln but found after his death by John Hay. c. 2 Sept. 1862?

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Meditation on the Divine Wall, c. early September 1862." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free—honorable alike in what we give and what we preserve. We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last, best hope of earth.

Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Slavery Freedom

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Second Annual Message to Congress

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1862 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. Second Annual Message to Congress. 1 Dec. 1862, US Congress, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

To correct the evils, great and small, which spring from want of sympathy and from positive enmity, among strangers, as nations or as individuals, is one of the highest functions of civilization.

Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Rule of law Purpose of government Political theory Politics Government

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Speech to the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1859 1850s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Address Before the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, Milwaukee, Wisconsin." 30 Sep. 1859, Milwawkee, WI, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Address to the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 30, 1859." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

I hate it because it deprives our republican example of its just influence in the world—enables the enemies of free institutions, with plausibility, to taunt us as hypocrites—causes the real friends of freedom to doubt our sincerity.

Abraham Lincoln

On slavery.

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Topic

Slavery

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

The Repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the Property of its Restoration

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1854 1850s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "The Repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the Property of its Restoration: Speech in Reply to Senator Douglas." 16 Oct. 1854, Peoria, IL, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Speech on the Kansas-Nebraska Act at Peoria, Illinois, October 16, 1854." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832-1858, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

These capitalists generally act harmoniously, and in concert, to fleece the people, and now, that they have got into a quarrel with themselves, we are called upon to appropriate the people's money to settle the quarrel.

Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Too big to fail Bailouts Socialism for the rich Capitalism

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Speech in the Illinois Legislature Concerning the State Bank

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1837 1830s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Speech in the Illinois Legislature." 11 Jan. 1837, Vandalia, IL, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Speech in the Illinois Legislature January 11, 1837." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832-1858, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

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.

Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Masters and slaves Slavery Democracy Equality

Author

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Journals of Abraham Lincoln

Medium

Personal journal

Language

English

Time

1858 1850s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Definition of Democracy." 1 Aug. 1858?

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "On Slavery and Democracy, 1858?" Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832-1858, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

I am glad to know that there is a system of labor where the laborer can strike if he wants to! I would to God that such a system prevailed all over the world.

Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Workers' rights

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Speech in Hartford, Connecticut

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1860 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Speech in Hartford, Connecticut." 5 Mar. 1860, Hartford City Hall, Hartford, CT, USA.

Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration. Capital has its rights, which are as worthy of protection as any other rights.

Abraham Lincoln

Annual Message to Congress

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Topic

Labor Capital Capitalism Economic theory

Author

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Annual Message to Congress

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1861 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. First Annual Message to Congress. 3 Dec. 1861, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Annual Message to Congress, December 3, 1861." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

Yet in all our rejoicing let us neither express, nor cherish, any harsh feeling towards any citizen who, by his vote, has differed with us. Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in the bonds of fraternal feeling.

Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Political polarization Political reconciliation Elections Politics

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1860 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. Remarks in Illinois. 20 Nov. 1860, Springfield, IL, USA.

Current Citation

Abraham Lincoln. "Remarks at Springfield, Illinois, November 20, 1860." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, edited by Roy P. Basler. Vol. 4, Rutgers University Press, 1955.

The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.

Abraham Lincoln

Second Annual Message to Congress

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Topic

Solving problems Adaptability Changing with the times American Civil War

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Second Annual Message to Congress

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1862 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. Second Annual Message to Congress. 1 Dec. 1862, US Congress, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.