“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.”

“A farce or comedy is best played; a tragedy is best read at home.”

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

“I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.”

“The best thing a man can do for his children is love their mother.”

“I have destroyed my enemies when I make friends with them”

“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, we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.”

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

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

“Never do anything for anyone who can just as well do it themself”

“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.”

“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.”

“To remain as I am is impossible; I must die or be better, it appears to me.”

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

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