As long as the Almighty permitted intelligent men, created in his image and likeness, to fight in public and kill each other while the world looks on approvingly, it's not for me to deprive the chickens of the same privilege.

The land, the earth God gave to man for his home ... should never be the possession of any man, corporation, (or) society ... any more than the air or water.

Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces; but let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully.

I hear you have abolitionists here. We have a few in Illinois, but we shot one the other day.

The Constitution is not a suicide pact.

When I lay down the reins of this administration, I want to have one friend left. And that friend is myself.

Have I not destroyed my enemy when I have made him into my friend?