Abraham Lincoln has long been a favorite character of history. I can’t help but think we could use more of his wisdom and political understanding in our current time. I read through some of his famous quotes and wanted to share some with you that I think should be applied in 2016!
Regarding Power:
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.¹
“As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy.”
“Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.”
Regarding Faith and Prayer:
“I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.”
…I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord’s side.”
“In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book.”
“I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. “
Regarding Labor:
“Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.”
“Beavers build houses; but they build them in nowise differently, or better now, than they did, five thousand years ago. Ants, and honey-bees, provide food for winter; but just in the same way they did, when Solomon referred the sluggard to them as patterns of prudence. Man is not the only animal who labors; but he is the only one who improves his workmanship.”
“The legitimate object of government is ‘to do for the people what needs to be done, but which they can not, by individual effort, do at all, or do so well, for themselves’.”
Regarding Standing for Right:
“Stand with anybody that stands RIGHT. Stand with him while he is right and PART with him when he goes wrong.”
————
¹Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/abrahamlin101343.html#BRFtSKl0u9FpVt6K.99
Most all of these quotes were found at this link where you can also find their citation which I removed for readability: http://rogerjnorton.com/Lincoln78.html
