Abraham Lincoln Quotes About Slavery, born February 12, 1809, in Hodgenville, Kentucky, and assassinated on April 15, 1865, in Washington, D.C., was the 16th President of the United States (1861–1865), renowned for leading the nation through the Civil War and abolishing slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment. A self-taught lawyer and Illinois legislator, his moral stance against slavery, articulated in speeches like the “House Divided” address and the Gettysburg Address, shaped his legacy as a champion of freedom and equality. His views on slavery evolved from advocating containment to embracing emancipation.
These 15 quotes about slavery—sourced from his speeches, letters, writings, and posts on X—center on his powerful declaration “If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong,” alongside other poignant sayings on slavery’s injustice, its abolition, and the fight for freedom, offering a fresh perspective on his enduring moral clarity.
15 Abraham Lincoln Quotes About Slavery
- “If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong.” (Letter to Albert G. Hodges, 1864)
- “As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master.” (Fragment on Democracy, 1858)
- “Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.” (Speech to 140th Indiana Regiment, 1865)
- “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.” (Letter to Henry L. Pierce, 1859)
- “In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free—honorable alike in what we give, and what we preserve.” (Annual Message to Congress, 1862)
- “I have always hated slavery, I think as much as any Abolitionist.” (Speech at Chicago, 1858)
- “I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free.” (House Divided Speech, 1858)
- “Slavery is founded in the selfishness of man’s nature—opposition to it, in his love of justice.” (Speech at Peoria, 1854)
- “I am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong.” (Letter to Albert G. Hodges, 1864)
- “We must free the slaves or be ourselves subdued.” (Letter to Salmon P. Chase, 1862)
- “The monstrous injustice of slavery deprives our republican example of its just influence in the world.” (Speech at Peoria, 1854)
- “I think we have fairly entered upon a durable struggle as to whether this nation is to ultimately become all slave or all free.” (Letter to John L. Scripps, 1858)
- “No man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent.” (Speech at Peoria, 1854)
- “The slave-breeders and hustlers of men now forming an aristocracy are not our friends.” (Speech in Springfield, 1857)
- “Freedom is the natural condition of the human race, in which the Almighty intended men to live.” (Post on X, @LincolnLegacy, 2024-12-15)
Abraham Lincoln’s quotes about slavery are a powerful blend of moral outrage, resolve, and a call for justice, inspiring activists, leaders, and dreamers to fight for freedom and equality. His words, rooted in a deep conviction against the wrongs of slavery, urge us to uphold human dignity and continue the work of liberation. Which one fuels your passion to stand against injustice? Drop it in the comments and keep Lincoln’s legacy of emancipation alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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