Category: Quote of the Day

It really hurts me very much to suppose that I have wronged anybody on earth.”– Debate at Quincy, October 13, 1858

It is said that we have the best government the word ever knew, and I am glad to meet you, the supporters of that government– Speech to the 189th New York Regiment, October 24, 1864

It is not merely for to-day, but for all time to come that we should perpetuate for our children’s children this great and free government, which we have enjoyed all our lives.”– Speech to the One Hundred Sixty-sixth Ohio Regiment, August 22, 1864

It is not best to swap horses while crossing the river.”– Reply to National Union League, June 9, 1864

It is as much the duty of government to render prompt justice against itself, in favor of citizens, as it is to administer the same between private individuals.”– Annual Message to Congress, December 3, 1861

It is a cheering thought throughout life that something can be done to ameliorate the condition of those who have been subject to the hard usage of the world.”– Address on Colonization to a Deputation of Negroes, August 14, 1862

It has long been a grave question whether any government, not too strong for the liberties of its people, can be strong enough to maintain its own existence, in great emergencies.”– Response to a Serenade, November 10, 1864

In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. The Government will not assail you. You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors. You have no oath registered in heaven to destroy the Government, while I shall have the most solemn one to ‘preserve, protect,… Continue reading Quote of the Day 15

In times like the present, men should utter nothing for which they would not willingly be responsible through time and eternity.”– Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862

In this troublesome world, we are never quite satisfied.”– Letter to Mary Todd Lincoln, April 16, 1848