The quotations of

Abraham Lincoln

President of the United States from 1861 to 1865

1809–1865

69 quotes, most often on Slavery, America and War & Peace. Part of the U.S. Presidents collection.

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.
A House Divided (1858)
- America
- Slavery
As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy.
Definition of Democracy; see Roy P. Basler, ed., The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, vol. 2 (New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1953), p. 532
- Democracy
- Slavery
The Confederacy stands for slavery and the Union for freedom.
Private conversation (January 1862)
- Freedom
- Slavery
The Autocrat of all the Russias will resign his crown, and proclaim his subjects free republicans sooner than will our American masters voluntarily give up their slaves.
Letter to George Robertson (15 August 1855)
- Slavery
Without slavery the rebellion could never have existed; without slavery it could not continue.
Lincoln’s Second Annual Message to Congress (1862)
- Slavery
- War & Peace
You think slavery is right and should be extended; while we think slavery is wrong and ought to be restricted. That I suppose is the rub. It certainly is the only substantial difference between us.
Letter to Alexander H. Stephens (1860)
- Slavery
As a nation, we began by declaring that “all men are created equal.” We now practically read it “all men are created equal, except negroes.” When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read “all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and catholics.”
Letter to Joshua F. Speed (24 August 1855)
When I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.
Statement to an Indiana Regiment passing through Washington (17 March 1865)
- Clever Jabs
- Slavery
In giving freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free — honorable alike in what we give and what we preserve. We shall nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope of earth.
Lincoln’s Second Annual Message to Congress (1862)
I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.
The Emancipation Proclamation (1863)In context
- Freedom
- Slavery
And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution, upon military necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind, and the gracious favor of Almighty God.
The Emancipation Proclamation (1863)In context

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