Abraham Lincoln was asked by an aide about the church service he had attended. Lincoln responded that the minister was inspired, interesting, well-prepared, eloquent and the topic relevant. The aide said, โThen it was a good service?โ Lincoln responded, โNo.โ The aide protested, โBut, Mr. President, you said that the minister was inspired, interesting, well-prepared, eloquent, and that the topic was relevant.โ โYes,โ replied Lincoln, โbut he didnโt challenge us to do any great thing.
Abraham LincolnLet all Americans - let all lovers of liberty everywhere - join in the great and good work. If we do this, we shall not only have saved the Union; but we shall have so saved it, as to make, and to keep it, forever worthy of the saving.
Abraham LincolnAdhere to your purpose and you will soon feel as well as you ever did. On the contrary, if you falter, and give up, you will lose the power of keeping any resolution, and will regret it all your life.
Abraham LincolnI remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.
Abraham Lincoln[I]f the policy of the Government, upon vital questions affecting, the whole people is to be irrevocably fixed by decisions of the Supreme Court, the instant they are made, in ordinary litigation between parties in personal actions, the people will have ceased, to be their own rulers, having, to that extent, practically resigned their Government, into the hands of that eminent tribunal.
Abraham Lincoln