Abraham Lincoln

Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came… Fondly do we hope – fervently do we pray – that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away.

Abraham Lincoln

But for this book we could not know right from wrong.

Abraham Lincoln

But let the past as nothing be. For the future my view is that the fight must go on.

Abraham Lincoln

But the proclamation, as law, either is valid, or is not valid. If it is not valid, it needs no retraction. If it is valid, it can not be retracted, any more than the dead can be brought to life.

Abraham Lincoln

Capital has its rights, which are as worthy of protection as any other right.

Abraham Lincoln

Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed had not labor first existed.

Abraham Lincoln

Certainly there is no contending against the Will of God; but still there is some difficulty in ascertaining, and applying it, to particular cases.

Abraham Lincoln

Common looking people are the best in the world: that is the reason the Lord makes so many of them.

Abraham Lincoln

Concede that the new government of Louisiana is only to what it should be, as the egg is to the fowl; we shall sooner have the fowl by hatching the egg than by smashing it.

Abraham Lincoln

Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser – in fees, expenses, and waste of time. As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough.

Abraham Lincoln