Two principles have stood face to face from the beginning of time and will ever continue to struggle. The one is the common right of humanity; the other is the divine right of kings.
Revolutionize through the ballot box.
Repeal all past history, – you still can not repeal human nature.
Capital has its rights, which are as worthy of protection as other rights.
Teach men that what they can not take by an election, neither can they take by war.
I authorize no bargains, and will be bound by none.
When a man is sincerely penitent for his misdeeds, and gives satisfactory evidence of the same, he can safely be pardoned.
If destruction be our lot, it must spring up among ourselves.
In a democracy, where the majority rule by the ballot through the forms of law, physical rebellions are radically wrong, unconstitutional, and are treason.
Let us be friends, and treat each other like friends.
If I was less thin-skinned I should get along much better.
We will talk over the merits of the case.
Nothing shall be wanting on my part, if sustained by the American people and God.
Are you not over-cautious?
The severest justice may not always be the best policy.
The rule of a minority, as a permanent arrangement, is wholly inadmissible.
One poor man, colored though he be, with God on his side, is stronger against us than the hosts of the Rebellion.
Never fear, victory will come.
The Lord has not deserted me thus far, and He is not going to now.
I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.
Are you strong enough?
If I do not go away from here a wiser man, I shall go away a better man.
I know that liberty is right.
You must not give me the praise – it belongs to God.
It has always been a sentiment with me that all mankind should be free.
I don't pretend to be bright.
It is only by the active development of events that character and ability can be tested.
I remember a good story when I hear it, but I never invented anything original: I am only a retail dealer.
Few men are tried, or so many would not fit their places so badly.
Preach God and liberty to the "bulls" and "bears."
The Union is older than any of the States.
I only beg that you will not ask impossibilities of me.
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to the cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, – that we here highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain.
Let the people know the truth, and the country is safe.
Men moving in an official circle are apt to become merely official – not to say arbitrary.
Negroes, like other people, act upon motives. Why should they do anything for us if we will do nothing for them?
The Lord is always on the side of the right.
If I go down, I intend to go down like the "Cumberland," with my colors flying.
Killing the dog does not cure the bite.
I am nothing, but truth is everything.
Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed.
Whatever shall appear to be God's will, I will do.
Only those generals who gain success can be dictators.
Can aliens make treaties easier than friends can make laws?
The Patagonians open oysters and throw the shells out of the window – until the pile gets higher than the house; then they move.
The question of time can not and must not be ignored.
We must be more cheerful in the future.
Come what will, I will keep my faith with friend and foe.
Keep in your own sphere, and there will be no difficulty.
If we could first know where we are and whither we are tending, we could better judge what to do and how to do it.
I am never easy, when I am handling a thought, until I have bounded it north, south, east, and west.
Others have been made fools of by the girls, but this can never be said of me; I made a fool of myself.
It is not best to swap horses while crossing a stream.
I can only trust in God that I have made no mistake.
It has been said of the world's history hitherto that "might makes right"; it is for us and for our times to reverse the maxim, and to show that right makes might.
I shall stay right here and do my duty.
If we have no friends, we have no pleasure.
I am older in years than I am in the tricks and trades of politicians.
Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government and form a new one that suits them better.
Our enemies want a squabble; and that they can have if we explain; and they can not have it if we don't.
If it must be that I go down, let me go down linked to truth.
I am very little inclined on any occasion to say anything unless I hope to produce some good by it.
Let us forget errors.