You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here so nobly advanced.

Whether or not the world would be vastly benefited by a total banishment from it of all intoxicating drinks seems not now an open question. Three-fourths of mankind confess the affirmative with their tongues, and I believe all the rest acknowledge it in their hearts.

Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.

I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing, that no man desires for himself.

In my entire life I have only met four "perfect" people... and I disliked them all.

Too big to cry too young to laugh.