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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Read this speech at millercenter.org

More information about this quote

Topic

Labor Capital Capitalism Economic theory

Author

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Annual Message to Congress

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1861 1860s 19th century

Occupation

American President National leader Politician

From

United States

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.

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A quote by Abraham Lincoln about labor: “Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of…”
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A quote by Abraham Lincoln about labor: “Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of…”
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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 1860s

Sic semper tyrannis! The South is avenged!

John Wilkes Booth

More information about this quote
Topic
American Civil War
Speaker
John Wilkes Booth
Language
English
Time
1865 1860s 19th century
Authentication Score 2
Citation

Booth, John Wilkes. Assassination of Abraham Lincoln. 14 Apr. 1865, Ford's Theatre, Washington DC, USA.

Another quote about Capitalism

Remember that Time is Money.

Benjamin Franklin

The American Instructor: or Young Man's Best Companion

Read Advice to a Young Tradesman at the National Archives website
More information about this quote
Topic
Time is money Capitalism Efficiency

Author

Benjamin Franklin
Source
Advice to a Young Tradesman The American Instructor: or Young Man's Best Companion
Medium
Essay
Statement Type
Proverbs, aphorisms and adages
Language
English
Time
1748 1740s 18th century
Era
Colonial America
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Advice to a Young Tradesman." The American Instructor: or Young Man's Best Companion. Philadelphia: George Fisher, 1748.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Advice to a Young Tradesman." Benjamin Franklin: Silence Dogood, The Busy-Body and Early Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.

Another quote from 1861

One, if by land, and two, if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Atlantic Monthly

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Read Paul Revere's Ride at poets.org
More information about this quote
Topic
Battles of Lexington and Concord American Revolution

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Source
Paul Revere's Ride The Atlantic Monthly
Medium
Poem Magazine
Language
English
Time
1861 1860s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "Paul Revere's Ride." The Atlantic Monthly, Jan. 1861.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Landlord's Tale: Paul Revere's Ride." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems and Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, st. 2.