“I must study the plain physical facts of the case, ascertain what is possible, and learn what appears to be wise and right.”

— Abraham Lincoln, Reply to Chicago Christians of All Denominations (13 September 1862)

About Abraham Lincoln

1809 – 1865

Sixteenth President of the United States, who led the nation through the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

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

“Let them adopt the maxim, "Better luck next time"; and then, by renewed exertion, make that better luck for themselves.”

“Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital.”

“Be attentive therefore, according to the instruction of the Gospel, to learn obedience from the lily and the bird.”

“I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power, the greater it will be.”

“Life consists in the alternate process of learning and unlearning; but it is often wiser to unlearn than to learn.”

“Warriors of the light are not perfect. Their beauty lies in accepting this fact and still desiring to grow and to learn.”

“Philosophy, from the earliest times, has made greater claims, and achieved fewer results, than any other branch of learning.”

“I realize I don’t know very much. None of us knows very much. But we can all learn more. Then we can teach one another.”