“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.”

“The greatest fine art of the future will be the making of a comfortable living from a small piece of land.”

“Everything I ever learned, I learned from books.”

“You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence”

“I am growing old enough not to care much for the MANNER of doing things.”

“Tis better people think you a fool, then open your mouth and erase all doubt.”

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

“I may be wrong in regard to any or all of them; but holding it a sound maxim, that it is better to be only sometimes right, than at all times wrong, so soon as I discover my opinions to be erroneous, I shall be ready to renounce them.”

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

“Nothing will divert me from my purpose.”

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

“The worst thing you can do for those you love is the things they could and should do themselves.”

“No man who is resolved to make the most of himself can spare time for personal contention.”

“Towering genius distains a beaten path. It seeks regions hitherto unexplored.”

“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.”