If you once forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem. It is true that you may fool all of the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all of the time; but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. -Speech at Clinton, Illinois, September 8, 1854.

Nevertheless, amid the greatest difficulties of my Administration, when I could not see any other resort, I would place my whole reliance on God, knowing that all would go well, and that He would decide for the right.

We can succeed only by concert. It is not 'can any of us imagine better?, but 'can we all do better?

I have had so many evidences of [God's] direction, so many instances when I have been controlled by some other power than my own will, that I cannot doubt that this power comes from above.

Will springs from the two elements of moral sense and self-interest.

Nothing is stronger than gentleness.

Friends, I agree with you in Providence; but I believe in the Providence of the most men, the largest purse, and the longest cannon.