Today, we are going to learn from one of the United State’s most famous Presidents. Abraham Lincoln is known for his stance against slavery and keeping the United States free and sovereign. We all can learn from the words and wisdom of Abraham Lincoln, so we are going to examine the top 17 Abraham Lincoln quotes.
1: “There is no grievance that is a fit object of redress by mob law.”
When humans attempt to take justice matters into their own hands, and bypass the justice system set in place, it creates a chaotic upheaval. The justice system is not perfect, but it is much better than the mentality of mobs.
2: “Whatever you are, be a good one.”
I have always loved this quote by Mr Lincoln. It really doesn’t matter if we have what seems to be a low job, or a high one, they are all needed. Someone needs to be a trash collector while another needs to be a Senator.
3: “No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar”
When you tell a lie, you will have to tell another lie to cover the original lie. Sooner or later, you will slip and tell the wrong lie that will uncover all the lies. It is much easier to tell the truth.
4: “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.”
No human has the right to enslave another human no matter their skin color, nationality or religion.
5: “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
Courtesy of Wikipedia-Creative Commons
There have been some people who have lived more in 20-30 years than others who have lived for 80 years. It is what we do with our lives, not what our lives do with us.
6: “Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.”
It is old fashioned work that brings success to our lives. Nothing begets nothing, but labor begets wealth.
7: “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”
Sometimes the best answer is silence. Sometimes we can look foolish when we speak out of turn.
8: “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”
It is much easier to not procrastinate and get your duties done immediately. If you put it off, it may never get done.
9: “Our government rests in public opinion. Whoever can change public opinion, can change the government, practically just so much.”
The smartest politicians have learned well from this Lincoln quote. It is all about public opinion, and if you have it, you will win.
10: “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
This is so true; power has corrupted the best of men.
11: “If I am killed, I can die but once; but to live in constant dread of it, is to die over and over again.”
I have met people who are always scared that they will get robbed or killed, and they neglect to have fun, instead putting fear in the place of fun. I am glad I do not live in that stance.
12: “Adhere to your purpose and you will soon feel as well as you ever did. On the contrary, if you falter, and give up, you will lose the power of keeping any resolution, and will regret it all your life.”
Quitting will get you nowhere. Striving forward will bring you success at some point in time. Quitting is for losers.
13: “The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.”
What is learned in school and at home will be the structure that all men and women base their principles on.
14: “On the question of liberty, as a principle, we are not what we have been. When we were the political slaves of King George, and wanted to be free, we called the maxim that “all men are created equal” a self evident truth; but now when we have grown fat, and have lost all dread of being slaves ourselves, we have become so greedy to be masters that we call the same maxim “a self evident lie.””
I have always been impressed how Abraham Lincoln through the “white man’s” freedom back at the face of those who were justifying the “black man’s” slavery.
15: “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
We always have the choice of pessimism or optimism, but isn’t optimism much more fun and less stressful?
16: “Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser – in fees, expenses, and waste of time. As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough.”
If only all attorneys would use this business practice, we would have less lawsuits and people would live more at peace with each other.
17: “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.”
When we state something as fact, we must be sure that it IS fact. Just because someone that you trust said something does not make it a fact. We should research the item and determine if it is actually true. It is our duty to know the truth.
Final Thoughts
This is my list of the top 17 Abraham Lincoln quotes. Feel free to tell us your favorite quotes from this great President. You can leave your views, and any questions you may have in the comment section at the end of this post. Thanks for visiting and have a great day.
Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
Suggested Resources
Our Books & Training Courses
Recommended Reading List