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

“If frienship is your weakest point then you are the strongest person in the world.”

“I don't like that man. I must get to know him better.”

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

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”

“I belive that people should fight for what they believe and only what they believe.”

“Tact: the ability to describe others as they see themselves.”

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

“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.”

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

“Writing is the great invention of the world.”

“If any man ceases to attack me, I never remember the past against him.”

“I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.”

“I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.”

“The struggle of today, is not altogether for today - it is for a vast future also.”