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

Read the full text of this quote at umich.edu

More information about this quote

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

Occupation

American President National leader Politician

From

United States

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.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Abraham Lincoln about masters and slaves: “As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master.”
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A quote by Abraham Lincoln about masters and slaves: “As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master.”
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A quote by Abraham Lincoln about masters and slaves: “As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master.”
Download

Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1850s

All good things must come to an end.

Henry M. Field

More information about this quote
Topic
Endings

Author

Henry M. Field
Language
English
Time
1859 1850s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Field, Henry M. Summer Pictures: From Copenhagen to Venice. Sheldon and Company, 1859, ch. 1.

Another quote about Equality

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Declaration of Independence

Read The Declaration of Independence at the National Archives website
More information about this quote
Topic
Equality Natural law Human rights Freedom
Source
Declaration of Independence
Genre
Political literature
Language
English
Time
1776 1770s 18th century
Era
American Revolutionary Period
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

United States Declaration of Independence. 1776, preamble.

Current Citation

The National Archives. The Declaration of Independence: A Transcript. 24 July 2020, www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript.