Man is not the only animal who labors; but he is the only one who improves his workmanship.

Shall we stop this bleeding?

You cannot fail unless you quit.

We believe that the spreading out and perpetuity of the institution of slavery impairs the general welfare. We believe - nay, we know, that that is the only thing that has ever threatened the perpetuity of the Union itself.

I must keep some standard of principle fixed within myself.

When I left Springfield [to become President] I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ.

Why should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there any better or equal hope in the world?