Abraham Quotes

Do you think we choose the times into which we are born? Or do we fit the times we are born into?

Bring me Longstreet's head on a platter and the war will be over

We must free the slaves or be ourselves subdued.

If we know where we are and something about how we got there, we might see where we are trending - and if the outcomes which lie naturally in our course are unacceptable, to make timely change.

We should avoid planting and cultivating too many thorns in the bosom of society.

I do not understand that because I do not want a negro woman for a slave I must necessarily want her for a wife. My understanding is that I can just let her alone.

All I ask for the negro is that if you do not like him, let him alone. If God gave him but little, that little let him enjoy.

The negative principle that no law is free law, is not much known except among lawyers.

Did Stanton say I was a damned fool? Then I dare say I must be one, for Stanton is generally right and he always says what he means.

Never change horses in midstream.

No policy that does not rest upon some philosophical public opinion can be permanently maintained.

In order to win a man to your cause, you must first reach his heart, the great high road to his reason.

I hear you have abolitionists here. We have a few in Illinois, but we shot one the other day.

People are just as happy as they choose to be.

The world shall know that I will keep my faith to friends and enemies, come what will.

I could not sleep when I got on the hunt for an idea, until I had caught it. This was a kind of passion with me, and it has stuck with me.

I think I stand where that man stands.

The person who is incapable of making a mistake, is incapable of anything.

Oh, that [his Thanksgiving Message] is some of Seward's nonsense, and it pleases the fools.

I wish to see, in process of disappearing, that only thing which ever could bring this nation to civil war.

I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing, that no man desires for himself.

It is bad to be poor. I shall go to the wall for bread and meat, if I neglect my business this year as well as last.

Now, at the end of three years struggle the nation's condition is not what either party, or any man devised, or expected. God alone can claim it.

A right result, at this time, will be worth more to the world, than ten times the men, and ten times the money.

Legislation and adjudication must follow, and conform to, the progress of society.

If I had my way, this war would never have been commenced. If I had been allowed my way this war would have been ended before this.

I find quite as much material for a lecture in those points wherein I have failed, as in those wherein I have been moderately successful.

Nothing will divert me from my purpose.

I am nothing, truth is everything.

With educated people, I suppose, punctuation is a matter of rule; with me it is a matter of feeling. But I must say I have a great respect for the semicolin; it's a useful little chap

Whether you look for the good or look for the bad in a person, you'll find it." A. Lincoln

I couldn't be two faced. If I had two faces, I wouldn't wear this one.

The very spot where grew the bread that formed my bones, I see. How strange, old field, on thee to tread, and feel I'm part of thee.

Adversity does not make us frail; it only shows us how frail we are.

Money possesses no value to the state other than that given to it by circulation.

Anybody will do for you, but not for me.

Peace does not appear so distant as it did. I hope it will come soon, and come to stay; and so come as to be worth the keeping in all future time.

You say you will not fight to free negroes. Some of them seem willing to fight for you; but, no matter. Fight you, then exclusively to save the Union.

I am much indebted to the good Christian people of the country for their constant prayers and consolations; and to no one of them, more than to yourself.

The Lord spared the fitten and the rest he seen fitten to die.

He has got the slows, Mr. Blair.

Lamon, that speech won't scour. It is a flat failure and the people are disappointed.

I think to lose Kentucky is nearly the same as to lose the whole game.

I can make brigadier generals, but i can't make horses.

We want, and must have, a national policy, as to slavery, which deals with it as being wrong.

It doesn't mater if you're a slow walker, so long as you don't walk backwards.

We shall meanly lose or nobly save the last hope of earth.

I desire to see the time when education, and by its means, morality, sobriety, enterprise and industry shall become much more general than at present.

Weakness is what keeps driving us to God, by the overwhelming conviction that there just isn't anywhere else to go.

I cannot bring myself to believe that any human being lives who would do me any harm.