As I would not be a slave so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.

— Abraham Lincoln

As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.

— Abraham Lincoln

As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy.

— Abraham Lincoln

As the patriots of seventy-six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and Laws, let every American pledge his life, his property, and his sacred honor; – let every man remember that to violate the law, is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the character of his own, and his children's liberty. Let reverence for the laws, be breathed by every American mother, to the lisping babe, that prattles on her lap – let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges; – let it be written in Primers, spelling books, and in Almanacs; – let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. And, in short, let it become the political religion of the nation; and let the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the grave and the gay, of all sexes and tongues, and colors and conditions, sacrifice unceasingly upon its altars. While ever a state of feeling, such as this, shall universally, or even, very generally prevail throughout the nation, vain will be every effort, and fruitless every attempt, to subvert our national freedom.

— Abraham Lincoln

Avoid popularity if you would have peace.

— Abraham Lincoln

A woman is the only thing I am afraid of that I know will not hurt me.

— Abraham Lincoln

Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.

— Abraham Lincoln

Be with a leader when he is right, stay with him when he is still right, but, leave him when he is wrong.

— Abraham Lincoln

Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new after all.

— Abraham Lincoln

But for this book we could not know right from wrong.

— Abraham Lincoln