Category: Quote of the Day

Broken eggs cannot be mended; but Louisiana has nothing to do now but take her place in the Union as it was, barring the already broken eggs.”– Letter to August Belmont, July 31, 1862

Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came.”– Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865

Beware of rashness, but with energy and sleepless vigilance go forward and give us victories.”– Letter to Major General Joseph Hooker, January 26, 1863

Bad promises are better broken than kept.”– Last Public Speech, April 11, 1865

As labor is the common burden of our race, so the effort of some to shift their share of the burden on the shoulders of others is the greatest durable curse of the race.”– Fragment on Slavery, circa July 1, 1854

And then, there will be some black men who can remember that, with silent tongue, and clenched teeth, and steady eye, and well-poised bayonnet, they have helped mankind on to this great consummation…”– Letter to James Conkling, August 26, 1863

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.”– Letter to Isham Reavis, November 5, 1855

All creation is a mine, and every man a miner.”– Lecture on Discoveries, Inventions and Improvements, February 22, 1859

According to our ancient faith, the just powers of governments are derived from the consent of the governed.”– Speech at Peoria, October 16, 1854

A man watches his pear-tree day after day, impatient for the ripening of the fruit. Let him attempt to force the process and he may spoil both fruit and tree. But let him patiently wait, and the ripe pear at the length falls into his lap.”– Remarks made at White, circa February 1865