Whether you’re a fan of history or just looking for some words of wisdom, you’ll find something to love in this collection of 50 handpicked inspirational Abraham Lincoln quotes. These quotes cover a wide range of topics, from leadership and perseverance to love and forgiveness. So whether you’re feeling inspired or just need a pick-me-up, be sure to check out this list of Lincoln’s most quotable words.
Introduction
Abraham Lincoln, born on February 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky, was the 16th President of the United States and one of the nation’s greatest heroes. His leadership during the American Civil War and his efforts to end slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution have cemented his legacy as a champion of civil rights.
Lincoln was a self-taught lawyer who believed in hard work, honesty, and equality. His humble beginnings, unwavering commitment to his principles, and his ability to lead with compassion and wisdom made him one of the most revered figures in American history.
List of 50 Inspirational Abraham Lincoln Quotes
- “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.”
- “Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”
- “Whatever you are, be a good one.”
- “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?”
- “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true.”
- “My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.”
- “I walk slowly, but I never walk backward.”
- “The best way to predict your future is to create it.”
- “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
- “Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
- “When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That’s my religion.”
- “I will prepare and some day my chance will come.”
- “Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow.”
- “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
- “No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.”
- “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.”
- “I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.”
- “That some achieve great success is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.”
- “The better part of one’s life consists of his friendships.”
- “The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.”
- “The people will save their government, if the government itself will allow them.”
- “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”
- “To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own.”
- “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.”
- “Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.”
- “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.”
- “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”
- “When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”
- “I don’t know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be.”
- “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”
- “Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves.”
- “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”
- “My best friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read.”
- “Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.”
- “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
- “He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.”
- “If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?”
- “The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.”
- “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present.”
- “The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.”
- “Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.”
- “I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being.”
- “Those who look for the bad in people will surely find it.”
- “You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry.”
- “When you have got an elephant by the hind legs and he is trying to run away, it’s best to let him run.”
- “I care not much for a man’s religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.”
- “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.”
- “Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed.”
- “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies.”
- “I would rather be a little nobody, then to be an evil somebody.”
Conclusion: What We Should Learn From Abraham Lincoln Quotes
Abraham Lincoln’s life and words continue to resonate with people all over the world. His wisdom, dedication to justice, and unshakeable faith in humanity are lessons for all of us. Lincoln showed us that integrity, empathy, and perseverance can overcome even the most significant challenges. His commitment to equality and freedom reminds us that we must constantly strive to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Lincoln’s legacy invites us to be courageous, compassionate, and true to our convictions. It’s a timeless message that continues to inspire and guide us in our daily lives.
