Our political problem now is, "Can we as a nation continue together permanently - forever - half slave and half free?"

My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union.

If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee.

Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other.

The time comes upon every public man when it is best for him to keep his lips closed.

If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend.

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