“The worst thing you can do for those you love is the things they could and should do themselves.”

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

“He can compress the most words into the smallest ideas of any man I ever met.”

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

“A nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.”

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

“Women are the only people I am afraid of who I never thought would hurt me”

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

“If we magnified our successes as much as we magnify our disappointments, we'd all be much happier”

“RESPONSE TO POLITICAL SMEAR TO ROBERT ALLEN New Salem, June 21, 1836 DEAR COLONEL:—I am told that during my absence last week you passed through this place, and stated publicly that you were in possession of a fact or facts which, if known to the public, would entirely destroy the prospects of N. W. Edwards and myself at the ensuing election; but that, through favor to us, you should forbear to divulge them. No one has needed favors more than I, and, generally, few have been less unwilling to accept them; but in this case favor to me would be injustice to the public, and therefore I must beg your pardon for declining it. That I once had the confidence of the people of Sangamon, is sufficiently evident; and if I have since done anything, either by design or misadventure, which if known would subject me to a forfeiture of that confidence, he that knows of that thing, and conceals it, is a traitor to his country’s interest. I find myself wholly unable to form any conjecture of what fact or facts, real or supposed, you spoke; but my opinion of your veracity will not permit me for a moment to doubt that you at least believed what you said. I am flattered with the personal regard you manifested for me; but I do hope that, on more mature reflection, you will view the public interest as a paramount consideration, and therefore determine to let the worst come. I here assure you that the candid statement of facts on your part, however low it may sink me, shall never break the tie of personal friendship between us. I wish an answer to this, and you are at liberty to publish both, if you choose. Very respectfully, A. LINCOLN.”

“I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.”

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

“If Abraham Lincoln were alive now, he'd roll over in his grave.”

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

“Without the assistance of that divine being, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him, who can go with me, remain with you and be everywhere for good let us confidently hope that all will yet be well.”