Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

Quotes

• When the conduct of men is designed to be influenced, persuasion, kind unassuming persuasion, should ever be adopted. It is an old and true maxim that 'a drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall.' So with men. If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart, which, say what he will, is the great highroad to his reason, and which, once gained, you will find but little trouble in convincing him of the justice of your cause, if indeed that cause is really a good one.

• Quarrel not at all. No man resolved to make the most of himself can spare time for personal contention.

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

• If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend.

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

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

• The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty.

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

• With malice toward none, with charity for all, ...let us strive on to finish the work we are in, ...to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

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

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

• I will study and get ready, and perhaps my chance will come.

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

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

• I am for those means which will give the greatest good to the greatest number.

• With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds.

• 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 may be engaged in. That everyone may receive at least a moderate education appears to be an objective of vital importance.

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

• That some should be rich, shows that others may become rich, and, hence, is just encouragement to industry and enterprise.

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