Quotes from Abraham Lincoln

The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.

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.

A new book is like a friend that I have yet to meet

My father, at the death of his father, was but six years of age; and he grew up, literally without education.

As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.

I know not how to aid you, save in the assurance of one of mature age, and much severe experience, that you can not fail, if you resolutely determine, that you will not.

I am not concerned that you have fallen -- I am concerned that you arise.

Lamon, that speech won't scour. It is a flat failure and the people are disappointed.

It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him.

The world shall know that I will keep my faith to friends and enemies, come what will.

My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.

I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have.

It often requires more courage to dare to do right than to fear to do wrong.

I fear explanations explanatory of things explained.

Whatever you are, be a good one.

The better part of one's life consists of his friendships.

All my life I have tried to pluck a thistle and plant a flower wherever the flower would grow in thought and mind.

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.

In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.

You can have anything you want if you want it badly enough. You can be anything you want to be, do anything you set out to accomplish if you hold to that desire with singleness of purpose.

Don't be fooled. I kept all my workout clothes in that top hat.

If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee.

On the whole, my impression is that mercy bears richer fruits than any other attribute.

Thus let bygones be bygones. Let past differences, as nothing be.