Skip to content Skip to footer

Guidance from the Great Abraham Lincoln: Inspiring Quotes to Ignite Courage and Hope

Abraham Lincoln, born on February 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky, was an American statesman and lawyer who went on to become the 16th President of the United States. His remarkable journey from humble beginnings to the highest office in the land made him one of the most revered figures in American history.

“I walk slowly, but I never walk backward.” – Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln’s childhood was marked by hardship and poverty. His family moved to Indiana when he was seven years old, and there, he experienced the loss of his mother at a young age. Despite these challenges, Lincoln was determined to overcome adversity and pursued an education whenever the opportunity arose. Through his voracious reading and self-study, he acquired a deep knowledge of law, politics, and history.

“My father taught me to work, but not to love it. I never did like to work, and I don’t deny it. I’d rather read, tell stories, crack jokes, talk, laugh—anything but work.” – Abraham Lincoln

In 1834, Lincoln began his political career, serving in the Illinois state legislature for several terms. As a lawyer, he gained recognition for his sharp intellect, integrity, and passionate defense of justice. His skills as an orator and his unwavering commitment to the principles of equality and freedom propelled him onto the national stage.

“I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.” – Abraham Lincoln

In 1860, Lincoln’s unwavering dedication to the abolition of slavery led to his nomination as the Republican candidate for the presidency. Despite facing a deeply divided nation on the brink of civil war, he emerged victorious in the election. Lincoln’s presidency was marked by the immense challenges of the Civil War, during which he led the Union through its most turbulent period, ultimately preserving the Union and issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared the end of slavery in the Confederate states.

“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.” – Abraham Lincoln

On April 14, 1865, just days after the Civil War’s end, Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., leaving behind a profound and enduring legacy as one of America’s greatest leaders. His leadership, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to the principles of equality and justice continue to inspire generations to this day.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Abraham Lincoln

 

Short Biography in Video

Short video biography of Abraham Lincoln, including his early years in Kentucky, his time as president, the Emancipation Proclamation, and his assassination.

Abraham Lincoln’s Inspirational Quotes

A man’s reputation is what other people think of him; his character is what he really is.

All my life I have tried to pluck a thistle and plant a flower wherever the flower would grow in thought and mind.

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.

Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up, and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better. This is a most valuable – a most sacred right – a right, which we hope and believe, is to liberate the world.

Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.

Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren’t very new after all.

Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

Do not destroy that immortal emblem of humanity, the Declaration of Independence.

Don’t interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.

Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Human action can be modified to some extent, but human nature cannot be changed.

I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me.

I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.

I’m a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn’t have the heart to let him down.

If I am killed, I can die but once; but to live in constant dread of it, is to die over and over again.

If there is anything that a man can do well, I say let him do it. Give him a chance.

If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will.

If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend.

In the end it is not the years in your life that count. It is the life in your years.

It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues.

Let’s have faith that right makes might; and in that faith let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.

Marriage is neither heaven nor hell, it is simply purgatory.

My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth.

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

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.

No man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent.

No matter how much cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens.

Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time.

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.

The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.

The highest art is always the most religious, and the greatest artist is always a devout person.

The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who’ll get me a book I ain’t read.

The time comes upon every public man when it is best for him to keep his lips closed.

The way for a young man to rise is to improve himself every way he can, never suspecting that anybody wishes to hinder him.

When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That’s my religion.

You cannot build character and courage by taking away man’s initiative and independence.

You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could do for themselves.

You may fool all the people some of the time, you can even fool some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time.

Inspiring Alley© 2024. All Rights Reserved.