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

“Determine that the thing can and shall be done and then... find the way.”

“you can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time”

“The better part of one's life consists of his friendships.”

“Upon the subject of education ... I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people may be engaged in.”

“RESPONSE TO POLITICAL SMEAR TO ROBERT ALLEN New Salem, June 21, 1836 DEAR COLONEL:—I am told that during my absence last week you passed through this place, and stated publicly that you were in possession of a fact or facts which, if known to the public, would entirely destroy the prospects of N. W. Edwards and myself at the ensuing election; but that, through favor to us, you should forbear to divulge them. No one has needed favors more than I, and, generally, few have been less unwilling to accept them; but in this case favor to me would be injustice to the public, and therefore I must beg your pardon for declining it. That I once had the confidence of the people of Sangamon, is sufficiently evident; and if I have since done anything, either by design or misadventure, which if known would subject me to a forfeiture of that confidence, he that knows of that thing, and conceals it, is a traitor to his country’s interest. I find myself wholly unable to form any conjecture of what fact or facts, real or supposed, you spoke; but my opinion of your veracity will not permit me for a moment to doubt that you at least believed what you said. I am flattered with the personal regard you manifested for me; but I do hope that, on more mature reflection, you will view the public interest as a paramount consideration, and therefore determine to let the worst come. I here assure you that the candid statement of facts on your part, however low it may sink me, shall never break the tie of personal friendship between us. I wish an answer to this, and you are at liberty to publish both, if you choose. Very respectfully, A. LINCOLN.”

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

“I have never had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence. --February 22, 1861”

“Life is hard but so very beautiful”

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

“You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.”

“I would just as soon die now, but I haven't done anything yet to be remembered by”

“Hypocrite: The man who murdered his parents, and then pleaded for mercy on the grounds that he was an orphan.”

“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.”