Category: Quote of the Day

We dare not disregard the lessons of experience.”– Letter to J. M. Clayton, July 28, 1849

We cannot escape history.”– Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862

We can succeed only by concert. It is not ‘can any of us imagine better?’ but ‘Can we all do better?’” – Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862

War, at the best, is terrible, and this war of ours, in its magnitude and its duration, is one of the most terrible.”– Speech at Sanitary Fair, June 16, 1864

Truth is generally the best vindication against slander.”– Remark made when requested to dismiss Montgomery Blair, Postmaster-General, September 1864

True democracy makes no inquiry about the color of the skin, or place of nativity, or any other similar circumstance or condition.”– Speech at Cincinnati, May 6, 1842

To secure to each laborer the whole product of his labor, or as nearly as possible, is a worthy object of any good government.”– Temperance Address, February 22, 1842

To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.”– Farewell Address, February 11, 1861

To give the victory to the right, not bloody bullets, but peaceful ballots only are necessary. Thanks to our good old Constitution, and organization under it, these alone are necessary.”– Notes for speeches, circa October 1, 1858

Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it.”– Letter to Henry Pierce et al, April 6, 1859