“What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself.”

“It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues.”

“With educated people, I suppose, punctuation is a matter of rule; with me it is a matter of feeling. But I must say I have a great respect for the semicolin; it's a useful little chap”

“There can be glory in failure and despair in success.”

“A half effort is a wasted effort.”

“That some achieve great success, is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.”

“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.”

“My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.”

“The Bible is not my book nor Christianity my profession. I could never give assent to the long, complicated statements of Christian dogma.”

“It will not do to investigate the subject of religion too closely, as it is apt to lead to infidelity.”

“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”

“My father taught me to work; he did not teach me to love it.”

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

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

“If we take habitual drunkards as a class, their heads and hearts will bear an advantageous comparison with those of any other class.”