A universal feeling, whether well or ill founded, cannot be safely disregarded.

I would rather be a little nobody, then to be a evil somebody.

I would save the Union. I would save it the shortest way under the Constitution. The sooner the national authority can be restored; the nearer the Union will be 'the Union as it was'.

I don't s'pose anybody on earth likes gingerbread better'n I do-and gets less'n I do.

I am approached with the most opposite opinions and advice, and that by religious men, who are equally certain that they represent the Divine will. ... I hope it will not be irreverent for me to say that if it is probable that God would reveal his will to others, on a point so connected with my duty, it might be supposed he would reveal it directly to me... These are not, however, the days of miracles ... I must study the plain physical facts of the case, ascertain what is possible, and learn what appears to be wise and right.

As the problems are new, we must disenthrall ourselves from the past.

I cannot bring myself to believe that any human being lives who would do me any harm.