Inspirational Abraham Lincoln Quotes on Life, Leadership and Democracy
Quotes from Abraham Lincoln on life and leadership. Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States and is considered one of Americas greatest politicians.
One of America’s greatest politicians, most respected and beloved personalities, Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States.
Lincoln’s story is a remarkable one. Born into a humble family with illiterate parents, he got from being a shopkeeper to holding the highest office. While being president, Lincoln led his people through the Civil War, the costliest war in the history of the U.S., and made major decisions on the Union war strategy. He fought for equal rights, liberty, and democracy. Those hard and bloody times led to the abolition of slavery and made the economy flourish.
Switching to merrier times, Abraham Lincoln was also the one to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. That big turkey wouldn’t have had the same appeal without Thanksgiving, would it?
From a great man of significant accomplishments, a big heart with a bigger voice, we've handpicked a few sayings to make you cherish honor and become a better person.
57 Inspirational Abraham Lincoln Quotes on Life, Leadership and Democracy
Abraham Lincoln quotes on life
Those who look for the bad in people will surely find it.
When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That’s my religion.
When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.
I am a slow walker, but I never walk back.
The best way to predict your future is to create it.
That some achieve great success, is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.
My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.
I would rather be a little nobody, then to be an evil somebody.
Character is like a tree and reputation its shadow. The shadow is what we think it is and the tree is the real thing.
Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.
Tact: the ability to describe others as they see themselves.
I do the very best I know how -- the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.
He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.
I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.
No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.
Human action can be modified to some extent, but human nature cannot be changed.
Abraham Lincoln quotes on democracy
Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves.
Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.
We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.
No man is good enough to govern another man without the other's consent.
As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.
Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.
Money will cease to be master and become the servant of humanity. Democracy will rise superior to the money power.
I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being.
What I want is to get done what the people desire to have done, and the question for me is how to find that out exactly.
Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others.
Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.
Abraham Lincoln quotes on leadership
I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.
You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.
Whatever you are, be a good one.
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.
Adhere to your purpose and you will soon feel as well as you ever did. On the contrary, if you falter, and give up, you will lose the power of keeping any resolution, and will regret it all your life.
Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important than any other thing.
I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.
Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.
Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.
Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.
My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.
You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.
Funny Abraham Lincoln quotes
There are no bad pictures; that’s just how your face looks sometimes.
Common looking people are the best in the world: that is the reason the Lord makes so many of them.
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
Honestly, if I were two-faced, would I be showing you this one?
No matter how much cats fight, there always seems to be plenty of kittens.
I have come to the conclusion never again to think of marrying, and for this reason, I can never be satisfied with anyone who would be blockhead enough to have me.
If you call a dog’s tail a leg, how many legs does it have? -- Four, because calling a tail a leg doesn’t make it one.
It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues.
Abraham Lincoln quotes on education
I will prepare and someday my chance will come.
That everyone may receive at least a moderate education appears to be an objective of vital importance.
Every head should be cultivated.
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.
I will prepare and someday my chance will come.
The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.
All I have learned, I learned from books.
When I came of age I did not know much. Still somehow, I could read, write, and cipher to the Rule of Three.... The little advance I now have upon this store of education, I have picked up from time to time under the pressure of necessity.
I’m a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn’t have the heart to let him down.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.