Quotes of All Topics . Occasions . Authors
The Bible is not my book nor Christianity my profession. I could never give assent to the long, complicated statements of Christian dogma.
A nation may be said to consist of its territory, its people, and its laws. The territory is the only part which is of certain durability.
With this honor devolves upon you also a corresponding responsibility. As the country herein trusts you, so under God it will sustain you.
If both factions, or neither, shall abuse you, you will probably be about right. Beware of being assailed by one and praised by the other.
I have two great enemies, the Southern Army in front of me and the bankers in the rear. Of the two, the one at my rear is my greatest foe.
The leading rule for the lawyer, as for the man of every other calling, is diligence. Leave nothing for to-morrow which can be done to-day.
Standing as I do, with my hand upon this staff, and under the folds of the American flag, I ask you to stand by me so long as I stand by it.
The government will support you to the utmost of its ability, which is neither more nor less than it has done and will do for allcommanders.
I trust that as He shall further open the way, I will be ready to walk therein, relying on His help and trusting in His goodness and wisdom.
If any man tells you he loves America, yet hates labor, he is a liar. If any man tells you he trusts America, yet fears labor, he is a fool.
It has so happened in all ages of the world that some have labored, and others have, without labor, enjoyed a large proportion of the fruits.
I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were felt by the whole human race, there would not be one cheerful face left on earth.
In any future great national trial, compared with the men of this, we shall have as weak, and as strong; as silly and as wise; asbad and good.
The Bible is not my book and Christianity is not my religion. I could never give assent to the long complicated statements of Christian dogma.
The strongest bond of human sympathy outside the family relation should be one uniting working people of all nations and tongues and kindreds.
I expect to maintain this contest until successful, or till I die, or am conquered, or my term expires, or Congress or the country forsakes me.
IF you are going to fight, don't let them talk you into negotiating. But, if you are going to negotiate, don't let them talk you into fighting.
I have got you together to hear what I have written down. I do not wish your advice about the main matterfor that I have determined for myself.
In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all, and it comes with bitter agony. Perfect relief is not possible, except with the passing of time.
I can only say that I have acted upon my best convictions, without selfishness or malice, and that by the help of God I shall continue to do so.
I was losing interest in politics, when the repeal of the Missouri Compromise aroused me again. What I have done since then is pretty well known.
Now, at the end of three years struggle the nation's condition is not what either party, or any man devised, or expected. God alone can claim it.
Doubtless you begin to understand how disagreeable it is to me to do a thing arbitrarily, when it is unsatisfactory to others associated with me.
If you intend to go to work there is no better place than right where you are; if you do not intend to go to work, you can not get along anywhere.
Peace does not appear so distant as it did. I hope it will come soon, and come to stay; and so come as to be worth the keeping in all future time.
Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal feeling.
I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from The Savior of the world is communicated to us through this Book.
Towering genius disdains a beaten path ... It scorns to tread in the footsteps of any predecessor, however illustrious. It thirsts for distinction.
Certainly there is no contending against the Will of God; but still there is some difficulty in ascertaining, and applying it, to particular cases.
Singular indeed the people should be writhing under oppression and injury, and yet not one among them to be found, to raise the voice of complaint.
When I get ready to talk to people, I spend two thirds of the time thinking what they want to hear and one third thinking about what I want to say.
One section of our country believes slavery is right, and ought to be extended, while the other believes it is wrong, and ought not to be extended.
I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right; but it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation may be on the Lord's side.
There has never been but one question in all civilization-how to keep a few men from saying to many men: You work and earn bread and we will eat it.
In so far as the government lands can be disposed of, I am in favor of cutting up the wild lands into parcels so that every poor man may have a home.
It is your business to rise up and preserve the Union and liberty, for yourselves, and not for me. I desire they shall be constitutionally preserved.
Committee: A group which succeeds in getting something done only when it consists of three members, one of whom happens to be sick and another absent.
Our strife pertains to ourselves-to the passing generations of men-and it can without convulsion be hushed forever with the passing of one generation.
I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord's side.
You say you will not fight to free negroes. Some of them seem willing to fight for you; but, no matter. Fight you, then exclusively to save the Union.
It is my pleasure that my children are free and happy, and unrestrained by parental tyranny. Love is the chain whereby to bind a child to its parents.
If the good people in their wisdom shall see fit to keep me in the background, I have been too familiar with disappointments to bevery much chagrined.
I desire to see the time when education, and by its means, morality, sobriety, enterprise and industry shall become much more general than at present.
I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House. I am living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father's child has.
Others have been made fools of by the girls; but, this can never be with truth said of me. I most emphatically, in this instance,made a fool of myself.
Kings had always been involving and impoverishing their people in wars, pretending generally, if not always, that the good of the people was the object
I have endured a great deal of ridicule without much malice; and have received a great deal of kindness, not quite free from ridicule. I am used to it.
Biographies, as generally written, are not only misleading but false... In most instances, they commemorate a lie and cheat posterity out of the truth.
The privilege of creating and issuing money is not only the supreme prerogative of government, but it is the government's greatest creative opportunity.
As a general rule, I abstain from reading reports of attacks upon myself, wishing not to be provoked by that to which I cannot properly offer an answer.