Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was the 16th President of the United States, serving from 1861 to 1865. His legacy endures as a symbol of leadership, courage, and the enduring struggle for freedom and equality. In this post, we share famous Abraham Lincoln quotes you can reflect on daily.

Early Life

Born in a log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky (now part of LaRue County), Lincoln grew up in a poor family with little formal education. Despite these humble beginnings, he went on to become one of the most revered figures in American history.

Lincoln’s early life was marked by hardship and tragedy. His mother died when he was just nine years old, and his family moved to Indiana. However, his father eventually remarried. This brought Sarah Bush Johnston into Lincoln’s life, and played a significant role in nurturing his intellectual and emotional development.

Lincoln’s Early Career

Lincoln had a strong desire for learning. He used any available materials to educate himself and eventually became largely self-taught.

In 1830, the Lincolns moved to Illinois, and Abraham struck out on his own. He held various jobs, including rail-splitter, store clerk, and surveyor.

His interest in the law led him to study on his own. He became a self-taught lawyer, earning his license in 1836. Lincoln’s legal career proved successful, and he gained a reputation for his honesty, fairness, and sharp intellect.

Lincoln Enters Politics

Lincoln entered politics and was elected to the Illinois State Legislature in 1834. His political career progressed, and he served a single term in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1847 to 1849. However, he became disillusioned with national politics and returned to his law practice in Springfield, Illinois.

At this time in American history, the issue of slavery was becoming increasingly contentious. Despite being personally opposed to slavery, Lincoln recognized the delicate balance needed to maintain the Union.

Gaining National Attention

The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 and the subsequent Dred Scott decision intensified the national debate. In 1858, Lincoln engaged in a series of famous debates with Senator Stephen A. Douglas during the Illinois Senate race.

This gained him national attention for his eloquence and principled stance against the expansion of slavery.

Presidential Election

The 1860 presidential election marked a turning point in American history. The Republican Party was newly formed and opposed the spread of slavery into the territories.

As a Republican candidate, Lincoln won the election. His victory prompted several Southern states to secede from the Union. He ultimately led to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.

As President, Lincoln faced the immense challenge of preserving the Union. He navigated the complexities of war, made critical military decisions, and managed a fractured nation. Lincoln’s leadership during this tumultuous period was marked by his commitment to the principles of freedom and equality.

The Emancipation Proclamation

On January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. This transformative act shifted the focus of the war to include the abolition of slavery. This helped align the Union cause with the broader goal of human liberty.

In 1864, Lincoln was re-elected. And as the war neared its conclusion, he delivered one of the most famous speeches in American history—the Gettysburg Address.

In this brief but powerful speech, he reaffirmed the principles of equality and democracy. He famously stated that the nation was dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. He also called for a “new birth of freedom.” The address continue to resonate as a defining statement of American identity and aspiration.

A Life Cut Short

Tragically, Abraham Lincoln’s life was cut short. On the evening of April 14, 1865, just days after the end of the Civil War, Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.

His death marked the first assassination of a U.S. president and had a profound impact on the nation.

The Legacy of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln’s legacy endures as a symbol of leadership, courage, and the struggle for freedom and equality.

He showed remarkable leadership during a period of intense national crisis. And his unwavering commitment to the principles of the Declaration of Independence solidified his place as one of America’s greatest presidents.

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Famous Abraham Lincoln Quotes

Below are several famous Abraham Lincoln quotes from throughout his career. We hope these serve as a source of inspiration and courage in your life.

“You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.”

“Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.”

“That some achieve great success is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.”

“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”

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

“All I have learned, I learned from books.”

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

“Whatever you are, be a good one.”

“I laugh because I must not cry, that is all, that is all.”

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

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

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

“My best friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read.”

“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.”

“I would rather be a little nobody, than to be an evil somebody.”

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

“Everybody likes a compliment.”

“Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.”

“No man is good enough to govern another man without the other’s consent.”

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

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”

“Get books, sit yourself down anywhere, and go to reading them yourself.”

“Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

“I have talked with great men, and I do not see how they differ from others.”

“I will prepare, and someday my chance will come.”

“Every man’s happiness is his own responsibility.”

“Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed.”

“He has a right to criticize, who has the heart to help.”

“Those who look for the bad in people will surely find it.”

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”

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

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

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

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.”

“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.”

“A friend is one who has the same enemies as you have.”

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

“Be sure to put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.”

“I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my best each and every day.”

“I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.”

“I’m a slow walker, but I never walk back.”

Abraham Lincoln Quotes – Final Words

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from 1861 to 1865. He showed remarkable leadership during a period of intense national crisis. And his unwavering commitment to freedom and equality solidified his place as one of America’s greatest presidents.

We hope you enjoyed these Abraham Lincoln quotes. Check out our site for more sources of inspiration.