When it comes to famous presidents, Abraham Lincoln is not one that is going to be left off the roster. America's 16th president was a memorable one, and these Abraham Lincoln quotes in honor of Presidents Day demonstrate his wisdom and charitable spirit. Though he might have taken office in 1861, the words he said are just as relevant in this day and age as they were when he originally said them.
Lincoln's assassination in 1865 shocked the entire country. It was a devastating time for America, and even today one can feel a sense of despair when speaking of the event. While we don't know what would have happened if Lincoln had lived to serve as President of the United States for another four years, we can speculate, based on these quotes alone, that he would have continued to do great things for this nation.
Though Abraham Lincoln is long gone (and was gone long before his time should have been up), his spirit continues to live on in the 21st century. While the man can't be with us, his words can be. No matter what side of the political spectrum you fall on, it's possible to recognize Lincoln's sage advice and take heed of it. Take a few minutes today to ingest these 13 quotes from Abraham Lincoln — there's a lot to be learned from history.
1. “If you once forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem. It is true that you may fool all of the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all of the time; but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.”
2. "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
3. "My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth."
4. “If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee.”
5. "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
6. "You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today."
7. "I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice."
8. "No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar."
9. "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
10. “Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.”
11. "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."
12. "I am rather inclined to silence, and whether that be wise or not, it is at least more unusual nowadays to find a man who can hold his tongue than to find one who cannot."
13. "I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are created free and equal."
