Abraham Quotes

Towering genius distains a beaten path.

I have got you together to hear what I have written down. I do not wish your advice about the main matterfor that I have determined for myself.

The greatest lessons I have every learned were at my mother's knees... All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.

I am always for the man who wishes to work.

When someone asked Abraham Lincoln, after he was elected president, what he was going to do about his enemies, he replied, "I am going to destroy them. I am going to make them my friends."

Never stir up litigation. A worse man can scarcely be found than one who does this.

While we are grateful to all the brave men and officers for the events of the past few days, we should, above all, be very grateful to Almighty God, who gives us victory.

It must now atone in blood for its complicity in wickedness.

When the hour comes for dealing with slavery, I trust I will be willing to do my duty though it cost my life.

It is easiest to "be all things to all men," but it is not honest. Self-respect must be sacrificed every hour in the day.

As labor is the common burden of our race, so the effort of some to shift their share of the burden onto the shoulders of others is the great durable curse of the race.

If both factions, or neither, shall abuse you, you will probably be about right. Beware of being assailed by one and praised by the other.

I understand that it is a maxim of law, that a poor plea may be a good plea to a bad declaration.

Others have been made fools of by the girls; but, this can never be with truth said of me. I most emphatically, in this instance,made a fool of myself.

The enthusiastic uprising of the people in our cause, is our great reliance; and we can not safely give it any check, even thoughit overflows, and runs in channels not laid down in any chart.

I want in all cases to do right.

[Uniting workers should not] lead to a war upon property, or the owners of property.

Now if you should hear any one say that Lincoln don't [sic] want to go to Congress, I wish you as a personal friend of mine, wouldtell him that you have reason to believe he is mistaken.

Our common country is in great peril, demanding the loftiest views, and boldest action to bring it speedy relief.

What has ever threatened our liberty and prosperity save and except this institution of Slavery?

The unpleasant events you are passing from will not have been profitless to you.

My father, at the death of his father, was but six years of age; and he grew up, literally without education.

The government will support you to the utmost of its ability, which is neither more nor less than it has done and will do for allcommanders.

Now, and ever, I shall do all in my power for peace, consistently with the maintenance of government.

Doubtless you begin to understand how disagreeable it is to me to do a thing arbitrarily, when it is unsatisfactory to others associated with me.

I was elected a Captain of Volunteers--a success which gave me more pleasure than any I have had since.

Our eldest boy, Bob, has been away from us nearly a year at school, and will enter Harvard University this month. He promises verywell, considering we never controlled him much.

I ... ran for Legislature [in 1832] ... and was beaten-the only time I have been beaten by the people.

I turn, then, and look to the American people and to that God who has never forsaken them.

I am very glad indeed to see you to-night, and yet I will not say I thank you for this call, but I do most sincerely thank Almighty God for the occasion on which you have called.

I have seen your despatch expressing your unwillingness to break your hold where you are. Neither am I willing. Hold on with a bull-dog gripe, and chew & choke, as much as possible.

One generation passeth away and another generation cometh, but the earth abideth forever.

If the negro is a man, why then my ancient faith teaches me that ‘all men are created equal,' and that there can be no moral right in connection with one man's making a slave of another.

The love of property and consciousness of right and wrong have conflicting places in our organization, which often makes a man's course seem crooked, his conduct a riddle.

Talk to the jury as though your client's fate depends on every word you utter.

No client ever had money enough to bribe my conscience or to stop its utterance against wrong, and oppression.

Our strife pertains to ourselves-to the passing generations of men-and it can without convulsion be hushed forever with the passing of one generation.

Singular indeed the people should be writhing under oppression and injury, and yet not one among them to be found, to raise the voice of complaint.

Well, I suppose you know that men will stand a good deal when they are flattered.

I have a congenital aversion to failure.

I believe I shall never be old enough to speak without embarrassment when I have nothing to talk about.

Nobody has ever expected me to be President. In my poor, lean, lank face, nobody has ever seen that any cabbages were sprouting out.

You have more of a feeling of personal resentment than I have. Perhaps, I have too little of it, but I never thought it paid.

Better to remain silent and thought a fool, than to speak out and confirm that you didn't do the assigned readings before the strategic planning retreat.

The Constitution is not a suicide pact.

Towering genius...thirsts and burns for distinction; and, if possible, it will have it, whether at the expense of emancipating slaves or enslaving freeman.

Do I not damage my enemies after i make them my close friends?

The damnest scoundrel that ever lived, but in the infinite mercy of Providence... also the damnest fool.

Cortissoz was art critic of the New York Herald Tribune.

No man has a right to judge Andrew Johnson in any respect who has not suffered as much and done as much as he for the Nation's sake.