The best way to get rid of your enemies is to make them your friends.

I know the hole he went in at, but I can't tell you what hole he will come out of.

Twenty-two years ago Judge [then-Senator Stephen] Douglas and I first became acquainted. We were both young then; he a trifle younger than I. Even then, we were both ambitious; I, perhaps, quite as much so as he. With me, the race of ambition has been a failure--a flat failure; with him it has been one of splendid success.

Be excellent and party on dudes.

If I had my way, this war would never have been commenced. If I had been allowed my way this war would have been ended before this.

I repeat the declaration made a year ago, that 'while I remain in my present position I shall not attempt to retract or modify the emancipation proclamation, nor shall I return to slavery any person who is free by the terms of that proclamation, or by any of the Acts of Congress.' If the people should, by whatever mode or means, make it an Executive duty to re-enslave such persons, another, and not I, must be their instrument to perform it.

Human action can be modified to some extent, but human nature can not be changed