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

— Abraham Lincoln, Letter to Joseph Gillespie (13 July 1849)

About Abraham Lincoln

1809 – 1865

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

“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.”

“Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You can not now realize that you will ever feel better.”

“One friend in a lifetime is much; two are many; three are hardly possible.”

“Spiritual friendship is the whole of the spiritual life!”

“So long as you are secure you will count many friends; if your life becomes clouded you will be alone.”

“So long as the memory of certain beloved friends lives in my heart I shall say that life is good.”

“Life often seems like a long shipwreck, of which the débris are friendship, fame, and love.”

“It was not a fashionable place, but even among the pleasant people there, the girls made few friends, preferring to live for one another.”