To make a thorough exploration of Abraham quotes reading through the “Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln” will give greater insight than can be covered here. Even a few of the quotes though give us a taste of what this man believed in, his thoughts and values. Every Abraham quote read helps deepen our understanding of the man. Very many of these quotations are as relevant today as they were over a century ago.
Abraham Lincoln served as President throughout the civil war. While he was considered a peaceful man he seemed to understand the nature and necessity of war while wishing for peace.
A few Abraham quotes on War and Peace:
- “War at the best, is terrible, and this war of ours, in its magnitude and in its duration, is one of the most terrible.”Speech at Philadelphia June 16, 1864
- “The true rule for the Military is to seize such property as is needed for Military uses and reasons, and let the rest alone.”Letter to Joseph J. Reynolds. January 20, 1865
- “The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am. None who would do more to preserve it.”Address to the New Jersey General Assembly. February 21, 1861.
Abraham Lincoln spoke out strongly against Slavery:
- “I have always hated slavery, I think as much as any Abolitionist.”Speech in Chicago, 1858.
- “This is a world of compensations; and he who would be no slave, must consent to have no slave.”Letter to Henry Pierce. April 6, 1859
A mostly self-educated man, Abraham Lincoln believed strongly in equality, education, and the ability for anyone to succeed with determination and perseverance:
- “Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or system respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in.”First Political Announcement. March 9, 1832
- “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed, is more important than any other one thing.”Letter to Isham Reavis. July 22, 1860
- “Every man is proud of what he does well; and no man is proud of what he does not do well. With the former, his heart is in his work; and he will do twice as much of it with less fatigue. The latter performs a little imperfectly, looks at it in disgust, turns from it, and imagines himself exceedingly tired. The little he has done, comes to nothing, for want of finishing.”Address before Wisconsin Agricultural Society. September 30, 1859.
These are just a mere few of the quotes Abraham Lincoln left behind. And one final Abraham quote:
- “I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are created free and equal.”Speech at Chicago, Illinois. July 10, 1858.