Category: Quote of the Day

The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise — with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.”– Message to Congress, December… Continue reading Quote of the Day 3mar

The better part of one’s life consists in his friendships.”– Letter to Joseph Gillespie, May 19, 1849

The Autocrat of all the Russias will resign his crown, and proclaim his subjects free republicans sooner than will our American masters voluntarily give up their slaves.”– Letter to George Robertson, August 15, 1855

The ant who has toiled and dragged a crumb to his nest will furiously defend the fruit of his labor against whatever robber assails him. So plain that the most dumb and stupid slave that ever toiled for a master does constantly known that he is wronged.”– Fragment on Slavery, circa July 1, 1854

That is good book-law; but it not the rule of actual practice.”– Speech at Peoria, October 16, 1865

Tell him, when he starts, to put it through – not to be writing or telegraphing back here, but put it through.”– Letter to Secretary of War Simon Cameron, Jun 20, 1861

Stand with anybody that stands RIGHT. Stand with him while he is right and PART with him when he goes wrong.”– Speech at Peoria, Illinois, October 16, 1854

Slavery is founded in the selfishness of man’s nature – opposition to it in his love of justice.”– Speech at Peoria, Illinois, October 16, 1854

Resolve to be honest at all events; and if your own judgment you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer.”– Notes for a Law Lecture, circa July 1, 1850

Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed. Consequently he who molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions.”– Lincoln-Douglas Debate at Ottawa, August 21, 1858