Category: Quote of the Day

I believe it is an established maxim in morals that he who makes an assertion without knowing whether it is true or false, is guilty of falsehood; and the accidental truth of the assertion, does not justify or excuse him.”– Letter to Allen N. Ford, August 11, 1846

A capacity, and taste, for reading, gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others. It is the key, or one of the keys, to the already solved problems.”– Address before the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, Milwaukee, September 30, 1859

You think slavery is right and should be extended; while we think slavery is wrong and ought to be restricted. That I suppose is the rub. It certainly is the only substantial difference between us.”– Letter to Alexander H. Stephens, December 22, 1860

You say you will not fight to free negroes. Some of them seem willing to fight for you; but, no matter. Fight you, then exclusively to save the Union.”– Letter to James Conkling, August 26, 1863

You know I dislike slavery; and you fully admit the abstract wrong of it.”– Letter to Joshua Speed, August 24, 1855

You dislike the emancipation proclamation; and, perhaps, would have it retracted. You say it is unconstitutional — I think differently.”– Letter to James Conkling, August 26, 1863

You cannot institute any equality between right and wrong.”– Galesburg Debate, October 7, 1858

You are ambitious, which, within reasonable bounds, does good rather than harm.”– Letter to Joseph Hooker, January 26, 1863

Yield larger things to which you can show no more than equal right; and yield lesser ones, though clearly your own. Better give your path to a dog, than be bitten by him in contesting for the right. Even killing the dog would not cure the bite.”– Letter to James M. Cutts, Jr., October 26,… Continue reading Quote of the Day 14a

With us every soldier is a man of character, and must be treated with more consideration than is customary in Europe.”– Letter to Count Gasparin, August 4, 1862