Friday, January 31, 2014

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 126

'Writing, the art of communicating thoughts to the mind through the eye is the greatest invention of the world. Its utility may be conceived by the reflection that to it we owe everything which distinguishes us from savages. Take it from us, and the Bible, all history, all science, all government, all commerce, and nearly all social intercourse, go with it.'
- Abraham Lincoln

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 125

According to Horace Greeley, the editor of the influential New York Tribune, who had excoriated Lincoln in the past for his ‘mistaken deference’ to slavery, the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation was ‘one of those facts in human history which marks not only an era in the progress of the nation, but an epoch in the history of the world.’

Monday, January 27, 2014

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 124

'With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die.'
- Abraham Lincoln

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 123

According to Lincoln’s senior partner at the time, right after he passed the bar exam, Lincoln’s ‘knowledge of the law was very small … but he would get a case and try to know all there was connected to it; and in that way he got to be quite a formidable lawyer.’

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 122

'We have as all will agree a free Government where every man has a right to be equal with every other man. In this great struggle this form of Government and every form of human right is endangered if our enemies succeed.'
- Abraham Lincoln

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 121

'You dislike the Emancipation Proclamation, and, perhaps, would have it retracted. You say it is unconstitutional. I think differently.'
- Abraham Lincoln

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 120

'Thoughtful men must feel that the fate of civilization upon this continent is involved in the issue of our contest.'
- Abraham Lincoln

Friday, January 17, 2014

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 119

'You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.'
- Abraham Lincoln

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 118

'A child is a person who is going to carry on what you have started. He is going to sit where you are sitting, and when you are gone attend to those things you think are important. You may adopt all the policies you please, but how they are carried out depends on him. He will assume control of your duties, states and nations. He is going to move in and take over your churches, schools, universities and corporations. The fate of humanity is in his hands.'
- Abraham Lincoln

Monday, January 13, 2014

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 117

'You say you will not fight to free Negroes. Some of them seem willing to fight for you, but no matter. Fight you, then exclusively to save the Union.'
- Abraham Lincoln

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 116

'The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who'll get me a book I haven't read.'
- Abraham Lincoln

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 115

'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.'
- Abraham Lincoln, letter to Alexander H. Stephens, Vice President of the Confederate States of America, and friend


Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 114

'A capacity and taste for reading gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others. It is the key or one of the keys to the already solved problems. And not only so. It gives a relish and facility for successfully pursuing the yet unsolved ones.'
- Abraham Lincoln

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 113

'Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or system respecting it I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in.'
- Abraham Lincoln

Friday, January 3, 2014

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 112

'When the people rise in masses in behalf of the Union and the liberties of their country, truly may it be said, “the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.”’
- Abraham Lincoln

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 111

'You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.'
- Abraham Lincoln