If the negro is a man, why then my ancient faith teaches me that ‘all men are created equal,' and that there can be no moral right in connection with one man's making a slave of another.

Gratefully accepting the proffered honor, [to inscribe a new legal work to him] I give the leave, begging only that the inscription may be in modest terms, not representing me as a man of great learning, or a very extraordinary one in any respect.

It is not 'Is God on my side', but 'Am I on God's side'.

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.

Force is all conquering, but it's victories are short lived.

The written word may be man's greatest invention. It allows us to converse with the dead, the absent, and the unborn.

I have no wealthy or popular relations to recommend me.