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100+ Timeless Quotes by President Abraham Lincoln: Inspiring Words of Wisdom
Introduction
President Abraham Lincoln, one of the most iconic figures in American history, left behind a wealth of wisdom through his speeches and writings. His words continue to inspire and resonate with people across the globe. From thoughts on leadership to musings about human nature, Lincoln's quotes are timeless reflections of his intellect and humanitarian spirit. In this article, we explore various facets of Lincoln's thoughts through carefully curated quotes under ten distinct themes. Each section offers insights into his philosophies and the enduring impact of his legacy.
Leadership Quotes
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
"Whatever you are, be a good one."
"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true."
"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm."
"The best way to predict your future is to create it."
"I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end."
"I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice."
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."
"Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality."
"Character is like a tree and reputation its shadow."
"As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master."
"Whatever you are, be a good one."
Freedom and Equality Quotes
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."
"All men are created equal, with certain inalienable rights."
"I am a firm believer in the people."
"Whenever I hear any one arguing for slavery I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally."
"Our reliance is in the love of liberty which God has planted in us."
"The ballot is stronger than the bullet."
"This is a world of compensations; and he who would be no slave, must consent to have no slave."
"No man is good enough to govern another man, without that other’s consent."
"The best way to predict your future is to create it."
"As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master."
"If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong."
"My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure."
Perseverance Quotes
"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true."
"I walk slowly, but I never walk backward."
"The best way to predict your future is to create it."
"It often requires more courage to dare to do right than to fear to do wrong."
"Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle."
"Character is like a tree and reputation its shadow."
"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today."
"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other."
"My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure."
"Keep moving forward."
"Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm."
"Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?"
Human Nature Quotes
"The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend."
"I am not concerned that you have fallen, I am concerned that you arise."
"I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice."
"Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed."
"Those who look for the bad in people will surely find it."
"I laugh because I must not cry, that is all, that is all."
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
"All I have learned, I learned from books."
"When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion."
"I am a slow walker, but I never walk back."
"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships."
"Be with a leader when he is right, stay with him when he is still right, but leave him when he is wrong."
Patriotism Quotes
"My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of Earth."
"I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives, I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him."
"This nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom."
"America will never be destroyed from the outside."
"A house divided against itself cannot stand."
"The better angels of our nature."
"I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday."
"The people themselves can save this Union."
"This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it."
"The struggle of today, is not altogether for today—it is for a vast future also."
"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us."
"With malice toward none, with charity for all."
Democracy Quotes
"The ballot is stronger than the bullet."
"No man is good enough to govern another man without the other’s consent."
"This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it."
"The government cannot endure half slave and half free."
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth."
"I care not much for a man’s religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it."
"The best way to predict your future is to create it."
"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."
"For peace is my dear old Confederate friend."
"To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men."
"I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends."
"Let us have faith that right makes might."
Justice and Law Quotes
"Law is nothing else but the best reason of wise men applied for ages."
"Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed."
"A nation that does not honor its heroes, will not long endure."
"I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice."
"I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights."
"I do not expect the Union to be dissolved—I do not expect the house to fall."
"If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it."
"Justice and judgment are the inhabitation of thy throne, as the house of the Rebellion."
"Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed."
"Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most."
"Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?"
"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon."
Peace and Conflict Quotes
"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true."
"My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure."
"The best way to destroy an enemy is to make them a friend."
"With malice toward none, with charity for all."
"If there is anything that a man can do well, I say let him do it."
"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses."
"I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me."
"The ballot is stronger than the bullet."
"Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves."
"Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?"
"I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends."
"We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it."
Innovation and Change Quotes
"The best way to predict your future is to create it."
"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today."
"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm."
"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."
"The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time."
"A new history must be written about me before I can be the subject of another book."
"I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice."
"To give victory to the right, not bloody bullets, but peaceful ballots only, are necessary."
"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true."
"Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed."
"My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure."
"You cannot have the same opinion today and tomorrow without reconsideration."
Friendship Quotes
"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships."
"I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends."
"Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?"
"I laugh because I must not cry, that is all, that is all."
"All I ask for is a quiet life with some good friends."
"The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend."
"Whatever you are, be a good one."
"Be with a leader when he is right, stay with him when he is still right, but leave him when he is wrong."
"The better angels of our nature."
"I am not concerned that you have fallen, I am concerned that you arise."
"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon."
"It is best not to swap horses when crossing the river."
Final Words
The words of Abraham Lincoln transcend time, offering guidance on personal character, justice, leadership, and the pursuit of freedom and equality. His quotes serve as a window into the thoughts of a man who led thoughtfully and with compassion during one of America's most turbulent periods. As we reflect on his wisdom, we can find inspiration in Lincoln's dedication to truth, perseverance, and the betterment of humanity. His legacy invites us to engage with these themes in our own lives and encourage others to do the same, forging paths toward a more inclusive and just world. Let Lincoln's words be a reminder of the enduring power of wisdom and its capacity to inspire change.
Explore over 100 powerful quotes by President Abraham Lincoln, offering insight, inspiration, and timeless wisdom. Perfect for history enthusiasts and fans of legendary quotes.
