“I am not concerned that you have fallen -- I am concerned that you arise.”

“You cannot have the right to do what is wrong!”

“Tis better people think you a fool, then open your mouth and erase all doubt.”

“I would just as soon die now, but I haven't done anything yet to be remembered by”

“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.”

“You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.”

“Anybody will do for you, but not for me. I must have somebody.”

“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.”

“I don't like to hear cut and dried sermons. No—when I hear a man preach, I like to see him act as if he were fighting bees.”

“I never tire of reading 

“You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry”

“The Lord prefers common-looking people. That is why he made so many of them.”

“Although volume upon volume is written to prove slavery a very good thing, we never hear of the man who wishes to take the good of it, by being a slave himself.”

“If my father's son can become President of these United States, then your father's son can become anything he wishes.”

“If this country is ever demoralized, it will come from trying to live without work.”