“Gold is good in it's place, but living, brave, patriotic men are better than gold.”

“Writing is the great invention of the world.”

“Be not deceived. Revolutions do not go backward.”

“As our case is new, we must think and act anew.”

“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 am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.”

“I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. ”

“I never tire of reading 

“if you want your name to be remembered after your death either do something worth writing or write some thing worth reading”

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

“If Friendship is your weakest point, you are the strongest person in the world.”

“It is not best to swap horses while crossing the river.”

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

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

“When you have got an elephant by the hind legs and he is trying to run away. it's best to let him run"