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

Money will cease to be master and become the servant of humanity. Democracy will rise superior to the money power.

Much is being said about peace; and no man desires peace more ardently than I. Still I am yet unprepared to give up the Union fora peace which, so achieved, could not be of much duration.

. . . peace is a thing which a person must be willing to fight for . . .

Law is nothing else but the best reason of wise men applied for ages to the transactions and business of mankind.

But I must add that the U.S. government must not, as by this order, undertake to run the churches. When an individual, in a church or out of it, becomes dangerous to the public interest, he must be checked; but let the churches, as such take care of themselves. It will not do for the U.S. to appoint Trustees, Supervisors, or other agents for the churches.

As a nation we began by declaring that all me are created equal. We now practically read it, all men are created equal except Negroes.