Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

100 Quotes By Abraham Lincoln That Will Provide You Food For Thought

Famous As: 16th President of the United States (1861-1865)
Born On: February 12, 1809
Died On: April 15, 1865
Born In: Larue County, Kentucky, United States
Died At Age: 56
Abraham Lincoln, the lawyer and politician who went on to serve as the 16th President of the United States was a truly great man. He continues to be an inspiration to youngsters all over the world even more than 150 years after his death. As the leader of the nation, he played a major role in issuing the Emancipation Proclamation which led to the abolishment of slavery—an achievement that earned him much respect. Counted amongst the best leaders the United States has ever seen, he is also credited to have strengthened the government and modernized the economy.  A powerful orator, he left behind a rich collection of quotations covering varied topics like politics, meaning of life, happiness, governance, and family among others. We bring to you these interesting quotes by Abraham Lincoln that will surely make you rethink your view of the world and provide you with food for thought.
Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.

Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.

Abraham Lincoln
Whatever you are, be a good one.

Whatever you are, be a good one.

Abraham Lincoln
Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?

Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?

Abraham Lincoln
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.

Abraham Lincoln
My Best Friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read.

My Best Friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read.

Abraham Lincoln
And in the end it is not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years.

And in the end it is not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years.

Abraham Lincoln
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.

Abraham Lincoln
My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.

My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.

Abraham Lincoln
I'm a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn't have the heart to let him down.

I'm a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn't have the heart to let him down.

Abraham Lincoln
Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new after all.

Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new after all.

Abraham Lincoln
When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion.

When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion.

Abraham Lincoln
Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves

Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves

Abraham Lincoln
We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.

We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.

Abraham Lincoln
Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.

Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.

Abraham Lincoln
I am a slow walker, but I never walk back.

I am a slow walker, but I never walk back.

Abraham Lincoln
Those who look for the bad in people will surely find it.

Those who look for the bad in people will surely find it.

Abraham Lincoln
There are no bad pictures; that's just how your face looks sometimes.

There are no bad pictures; that's just how your face looks sometimes.

Abraham Lincoln
I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how a man could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.

I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how a man could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.

Abraham Lincoln
I don't like that man. I must get to know him better.

I don't like that man. I must get to know him better.

Abraham Lincoln
When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

Abraham Lincoln
Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.

Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.

Abraham Lincoln
If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?

If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?

Abraham Lincoln
I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to 
succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have.

I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have.

Abraham Lincoln
All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.

Abraham Lincoln
Character is like a tree and reputation its shadow. The shadow is what we think it is and the tree is the real thing.

Character is like a tree and reputation its shadow. The shadow is what we think it is and the tree is the real thing.

Abraham Lincoln
I would rather be a little nobody, then to be a evil somebody.

I would rather be a little nobody, then to be a evil somebody.

Abraham Lincoln
Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.

Abraham Lincoln
You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.

You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.

Abraham Lincoln
I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.

I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.

Abraham Lincoln
No man is poor who has a Godly mother.

No man is poor who has a Godly mother.

Abraham Lincoln
I laugh because I must not cry, that is all, that is all.

I laugh because I must not cry, that is all, that is all.

Abraham Lincoln
Tact: the ability to describe others as they see themselves.

Tact: the ability to describe others as they see themselves.

Abraham Lincoln
I will prepare and some day my chance will come.

I will prepare and some day my chance will come.

Abraham Lincoln
My father taught me to work, but not to love it. I never did like to work, and I don't deny it. I'd rather read, tell stories, crack jokes, talk, laugh -- anything but work.

My father taught me to work, but not to love it. I never did like to work, and I don't deny it. I'd rather read, tell stories, crack jokes, talk, laugh -- anything but work.

Abraham Lincoln
The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.

Abraham Lincoln
The best way to predict your future is to create it.

The best way to predict your future is to create it.

Abraham Lincoln
No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar

No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar

Abraham Lincoln
Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.

Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.

Abraham Lincoln
He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.

He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.

Abraham Lincoln
I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.

I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.

Abraham Lincoln
Every man's happiness is his own responsibility.

Every man's happiness is his own responsibility.

Abraham Lincoln
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.

Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.

Abraham Lincoln
I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being.

I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being.

Abraham Lincoln
You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.

You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.

Abraham Lincoln
I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.

I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.

Abraham Lincoln
It's not me who can't keep a secret. It's the people I tell that can't.

It's not me who can't keep a secret. It's the people I tell that can't.

Abraham Lincoln
Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.

Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.

Abraham Lincoln
I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.

I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.

Abraham Lincoln
All I have learned, I learned from books.

All I have learned, I learned from books.

Abraham Lincoln
It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues.

It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues.

Abraham Lincoln
The Lord prefers common-looking people. That is why he made so many of them.

The Lord prefers common-looking people. That is why he made so many of them.

Abraham Lincoln
You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.

You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.

Abraham Lincoln
If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee.

If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee.

Abraham Lincoln
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.

You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.

Abraham Lincoln
It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him.

It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him.

Abraham Lincoln
You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry

You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry

Abraham Lincoln
The better part of one's life consists of his friendships.

The better part of one's life consists of his friendships.

Abraham Lincoln
I am not concerned that you have fallen -- I am concerned that you arise.

I am not concerned that you have fallen -- I am concerned that you arise.

Abraham Lincoln
I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer.

I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer.

Abraham Lincoln
To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own.

To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own.

Abraham Lincoln
Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Abraham Lincoln
I don't know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be.

I don't know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be.

Abraham Lincoln
The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us
from the support of a cause we believe to be just.

The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.

Abraham Lincoln
Achievement has no color

Achievement has no color

Abraham Lincoln
No matter how much the cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens.

No matter how much the cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens.

Abraham Lincoln
When I get ready to talk to people, I spend two thirds of the time thinking what they want to hear and one third thinking about what I want to say.

When I get ready to talk to people, I spend two thirds of the time thinking what they want to hear and one third thinking about what I want to say.

Abraham Lincoln
The Bible is not my book nor Christianity my profession. I could never give assent to the long, complicated statements of Christian dogma.

The Bible is not my book nor Christianity my profession. I could never give assent to the long, complicated statements of Christian dogma.

Abraham Lincoln
We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it.

We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it.

Abraham Lincoln
I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.

I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.

Abraham Lincoln
I have come to the conclusion never again to think of marrying, and for this reason, I can never be satisfied with anyone who would be blockhead enough to have me.

I have come to the conclusion never again to think of marrying, and for this reason, I can never be satisfied with anyone who would be blockhead enough to have me.

Abraham Lincoln
Be with a leader when he is right, stay with him when he is still right, but, leave him when he is wrong.

Be with a leader when he is right, stay with him when he is still right, but, leave him when he is wrong.

Abraham Lincoln
My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.

My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.

Abraham Lincoln
Hypocrite: The man who murdered his parents, and then pleaded for mercy on the grounds that he was an orphan.

Hypocrite: The man who murdered his parents, and then pleaded for mercy on the grounds that he was an orphan.

Abraham Lincoln
Die when I may, I want it said of me by those who know me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower when I thought a flower would grow.

Die when I may, I want it said of me by those who know me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower when I thought a flower would grow.

Abraham Lincoln
Get books, sit yourself down anywhere, and go to reading them yourself.

Get books, sit yourself down anywhere, and go to reading them yourself.

Abraham Lincoln
The greatest fine art of the future will be the making of a comfortable living from a small piece of land.

The greatest fine art of the future will be the making of a comfortable living from a small piece of land.

Abraham Lincoln
As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.

As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.

Abraham Lincoln
Stand with anyone that is right; stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.

Stand with anyone that is right; stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.

Abraham Lincoln
Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.

Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.

Abraham Lincoln
The ballot is stronger than the bullet.

The ballot is stronger than the bullet.

Abraham Lincoln
Take all that you can of this book upon reason, and the balance on faith, and you will live and die a happier man. (When a skeptic expressed surprise to see him reading a Bible)

Take all that you can of this book upon reason, and the balance on faith, and you will live and die a happier man. (When a skeptic expressed surprise to see him reading a Bible)

Abraham Lincoln
If there is anything that links the human to the divine, it is the courage to stand by a principle when everybody else rejects it.

If there is anything that links the human to the divine, it is the courage to stand by a principle when everybody else rejects it.

Abraham Lincoln
Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and, under a just God cannot retain it.

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and, under a just God cannot retain it.

Abraham Lincoln
You can have anything you want if you want it badly enough. You can be anything you want to be, do anything you set out to accomplish if you hold to that desire with singleness of purpose.

You can have anything you want if you want it badly enough. You can be anything you want to be, do anything you set out to accomplish if you hold to that desire with singleness of purpose.

Abraham Lincoln
Let no feeling of discouragement prey
upon you, and in the end you 
are sure to succeed.

Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed.

Abraham Lincoln
Those who write clearly have readers, those who write obscurely have commentators.

Those who write clearly have readers, those who write obscurely have commentators.

Abraham Lincoln
If this country is ever demoralized, it will come from trying to live without work.

If this country is ever demoralized, it will come from trying to live without work.

Abraham Lincoln
Don’t criticize them; they are just what we would be under similar circumstances.

Don’t criticize them; they are just what we would be under similar circumstances.

Abraham Lincoln
Determine that the thing can and shall be done and then... find the way.

Determine that the thing can and shall be done and then... find the way.

Abraham Lincoln
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence

You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence

Abraham Lincoln
Republicans are for both the man and the dollar, but in case of conflict the man before the dollar.

Republicans are for both the man and the dollar, but in case of conflict the man before the dollar.

Abraham Lincoln
My father taught me to work; he did not teach me to love it.

My father taught me to work; he did not teach me to love it.

Abraham Lincoln
Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.

Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.

Abraham Lincoln
Lets have faith that right makes might; and in that faith let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.

Lets have faith that right makes might; and in that faith let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.

Abraham Lincoln
That some achieve great success, is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.

That some achieve great success, is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.

Abraham Lincoln
Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.

Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.

Abraham Lincoln
We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.

We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.

Abraham Lincoln
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.

You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.

Abraham Lincoln
If frienship is your weakest point then you are the strongest person in the world.

If frienship is your weakest point then you are the strongest person in the world.

Abraham Lincoln
You can’t make a weak man strong by making a strong man weak

You can’t make a weak man strong by making a strong man weak

Abraham Lincoln