Abraham Quotes

Our political problem now is, "Can we as a nation continue together permanently - forever - half slave and half free?"

We, on our side, are praying to Him to give us victory, because we believe we are right; but those on the other side pray to Him, look for victory, believing they are right. What must He think of us?

If there is a worse place than Hell, I am in it.

We must work earnestly in the best light He gives us.

What is to be, will be, and no prayers of ours can arrest the decree.

It is the man who does not want to express an opinion whose opinion I want.

Everybody appreciates a compliment.

A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.

My experience has taught me that a man who has no vices has damned few virtues.

Persuasion, kind, unassuming persuasion, should be adopted to influence the conduct of men. The opposite course would be a reversal of human nature, which is God's decree and can never be reversed.

I am for those means which will give the greatest good to the greatest number.

And upon this act [Emancipation Proclamation]...I invoke...the gracious favor of Almighty God.

I am for . . . each individual doing just as he chooses in all matters which concern nobody else.

My policy is to have no policy.

I will learn, the opportunity will come.

The people know their rights, and they are never slow to assert and maintain them, when they are invaded.

Calling a tail a leg does not make it a leg.

The trouble with Hooker is that he's got his headquarters where his hindquarters aught to be.

Let us do nothing through passion and ill temper.

The blessing always comes back to the door of the author.

Always let your subordinates know that the honor will be all theirs if they succeed and the blame will be yours if they fail.

The worst thing you can do for anyone you care about is anything that they can do on their own.

Believing everybody is dangerous, but believing nobody is more dangerous.

I am slow to learn and slow to forget that which I have learned. My mind is like a piece of steel, very hard to scratch any thing on it and almost impossible after you get it there to rub it out.

Politics, as a trade, finds most and leaves nearly all dishonest.

And then, there will be some black men who can remember that, with silent tongue, and clenched teeth, and steady eye, and well-poised bayonnet, they have helped mankind on to this great consummation.

Almost every thing, especially of governmental policy, is an inseparable compound of the two [good and evil].

The man who stands by and says nothing, when the peril of his government is discussed, can not be misunderstood. If not hindered, he is sure to help the enemy.

Ready are we all to cry out and ascribe motives when our toes are pinched.

Bad promises are better broken than kept.

It is for us and our time...to say the right makes might.

When you lack interest in the case the job will very likely lack skill and diligence in the performance.

I confess I hate to see the poor creatures hunted down but I bite my lip and keep quiet.

I have no wealthy or popular relations to recommend me.

It is not the qualified voters, but the qualified voters who choose to vote, that constitute political power.

Too big to cry too young to laugh.

It is not 'Is God on my side', but 'Am I on God's side'.

If there is anything which it is the duty of the whole people to never entrust to any hands but their own, that thing is the preservation and perpetuity of their own liberties and institutions.

If 600,000 people have to die in order for the nation to live, then 600,000 people will die.

All the armies of Europe combined could not by force make a track upon the Blue Ridge, or take a drink from the Ohio. If we are to be destroyed, we must do it ourselves.

IF you are going to fight, don't let them talk you into negotiating. But, if you are going to negotiate, don't let them talk you into fighting.

The Cause of civil liberty must not be surrendered at the end of one, or even one hundred defeats.

I was born and have ever remaind [sic] in the most humble walks of life.

I always [or "often"] walk slowly, but I never walk backwards.

I hold that while a man exists, it is his duty to improve not only his own condition, but to assist in ameliorating mankind.

I think the authors of that notable instrument [the Declaration of Independence] intended to include all men.

I can only say that I have acted upon my best convictions, without selfishness or malice, and that by the help of God I shall continue to do so.

He who does something at the head of one Regiment, will eclipse him who does nothing at the head of a hundred.

Offering thanks in the midst of tragedy is an American tradition, . even during a bloody Civil War.

I wish all men to be free. I wish the material prosperity of the already free which I feel sure the extinction of slavery would bring.