Abraham Lincoln Quotes, 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), celebrated for leading the nation through the Civil War and abolishing slavery via the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment. A self-educated lawyer and former Illinois state legislator, his eloquent speeches, like the Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address, defined American values of liberty and equality. Known for his humility, wit, and moral clarity, Lincoln remains a global symbol of democracy and justice.
These 15 quotes—sourced from his speeches, letters, and posts on X—reflect his insights on freedom, leadership, perseverance, and morality, capturing his timeless wisdom and enduring legacy.
15 Abraham Lincoln Quotes
- “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” (Gettysburg Address, 1863)
- “Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves.” (Letter to Henry L. Pierce, 1859)
- “I am a slow walker, but I never walk back.” (Goodreads, n.d.)
- “Whatever you are, be a good one.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth.” (Letter to John T. Stuart, 1860)
- “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” (QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” (Goodreads, n.d.)
- “I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “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.” (Second Inaugural Address, 1865)
- “No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.” (Goodreads, n.d.)
- “I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are created free and equal.” (Speech in Chicago, 1858)
- “The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.” (Speech to the Illinois Legislature, 1839)
- “Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” (Letter to a friend, 1856)
- “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” (Post on X, @HistQuotes, 2024-02-12)
Abraham Lincoln’s quotes are a powerful mix of wit, wisdom, and a call to uphold justice and freedom, inspiring leaders, dreamers, and everyday folks to persevere with integrity and hope. His words continue to light the path for a better world, urging us to act with courage and compassion. Which one sparks your drive to make a difference? Drop it in the comments and keep Lincoln’s legacy of liberty alive!