Any society that takes away from those most capable and gives to the least will perish.

Take all that you can of this book upon reason, and the balance on faith, and you will live and die a happier man. (When a skeptic expressed surprise to see him reading a Bible)

Freedom is the last, best hope of earth.

I desire so to conduct the affairs of this administration that if at the end... I have lost every other friend on earth, I shall at least have one friend left, and that friend shall be down inside of me.

We can not have free government without elections; and if the rebellion could force us to forego, or postpone a national election it might fairly claim to have already conquered and ruined us.

Care for him who shall have borne the battle

And upon this act [Emancipation Proclamation]...I invoke...the gracious favor of Almighty God.