The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.

We all declare for liberty, but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing.

We should avoid planting and cultivating too many thorns in the bosom of society.

And upon this act [Emancipation Proclamation]...I invoke...the gracious favor of Almighty God.

And, inasmuch [as] most good things are produced by labour, it follows that all such things of right belong to those whose labour has produced them. But it has so happened in all ages of the world, that some have laboured, and others have, without labour, enjoyed a large proportion of the fruits. This is wrong, and should not continue. To [secure] to each labourer the whole product of his labour, or as nearly as possible, is a most worthy object of any good government.

Our political problem now is, "Can we as a nation continue together permanently - forever - half slave and half free?"

From whence shall we expect the approach of danger? Shall some trans-Atlantic military giant step the earth and crush us at a blow? Never. All the armies of Europe and Asia...could not by force take a drink from the Ohio River or make a track on the Blue Ridge in the trial of a thousand years. No, if destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of free men we will live forever or die by suicide.