15 Abraham Lincoln Quotes That Will Inspire You

15 Abraham Lincoln Quotes That Will Inspire You

The 16^th president of the United States of America is among the most influential people that ever existed in the country as the man was famed for his impeccable leadership in the American Civil War and was also responsible for the abolition of slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation. Additionally, he was well known for his values of freedom, unity and equality which he portrayed through well-articulated speeches and quotes. Therefore, in this article, we are going to delve into some of the quotes that Abraham Lincoln made so that they can inspire and encourage the reader.

1 Whatever you are, be a good one

This quote is one of the most powerful quotes made by the philanthropist as it passes an important message on integrity, personal responsibility and the pursuit of excellence. The quote encourages people to always strive to be the best version of themselves in everything that they do. Lincoln’s statements stress the significance of moral principles and character. Regardless of one’s position, line of work, or environment, he contends that one should always strive to be the best version of themselves. This feeling is in line with the notion that success is not only determined by one’s accomplishments outside of oneself but also by the strength of one’s character and the principles one upholds.

2 I do the very best I know how, the very best I can and I mean to keep doing so until the end

Turizimpressions, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 16^th president of the United States of America was keen on excellence and being committed to the cause. This quote shows how the leader was dedicated and committed to his duties and principles as the president. Even though he was faced with a lot of trials and tribulations while he was a president when leading the nation through the civil war. His leadership qualities and his ability to put in his utmost effort are what got the country through.

3 The best way to predict the future is to create it

His quote is quite powerful in that it reminds us that the best way to ensure that if we want a good future and destiny, then we should take proactive steps to shape it. This quote is quite relevant to us in different aspects of life in that if we want things to go in our favour, then we must work hard to shape it so that we can get the desired outcome. This quote shows that he was a visionary leader who was keen on making a change in the present and also in the future.

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4 I am a slow walker but I never walk back

A picture of a road. Photo by Praswin Prakashan on Unsplash 

The remark perfectly captures his unrelenting dedication to his beliefs and unflinching resolve. Lincoln’s determination to achieve his goals, even if it meant taking cautious steps, is reflected in this phrase.

Throughout his life, Lincoln experienced a great deal of difficulty and failure, both personally and politically. Particularly during his political career, he suffered defeats and disappointments, including lost elections and failed commercial endeavours. But despite these setbacks, he never let them stop him from achieving his main goal.

5 Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power

The quote shows Lincoln’s understanding of human nature and power. He suggests in the quote that the surest way to know a person’s resilience and their ability to withstand and overcome the challenges that come their way is to observe them when they are facing difficulties but the true test of a person’s character is when they are given power. This quote is very true in that it is easy to know someone’s character when they have power as the way they use the power will determine if one is a good person or not. Lincoln is emphasising the notion that people can become corrupted by authority. When someone has authority, their choices and actions have a greater influence.

6 You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time

A picture of a hourglass. User:S Sepp, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 The former president said this statement while addressing the issue of slavery and the moral perspective surrounding it while he was in Clinton, Illinois. The quote suggests that people may be misled for some time but in the end the truth will always prevail. This quote applies in these contemporary times in that if the truth is hidden, it will be uncovered someday. It is a call to people to maintain their principles and integrity in everything that they do in life.

7 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

The quote clearly portrays his moral and ethical ideologies. The quote shows that it is critical to align one’s actions to what is righteous and morally acceptable. He proves that he understands the complexities of human affairs but advises people to always strive to do good instead of looking at their self-interests too much.  The quote is a great reminder of the importance of ethical integrity in everything that we do whether it is personal or to the public.

8 I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better

A picture of people talkning. UNE Photos, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This quote is great when dealing with conflicts and feuds with people.  Lincoln was famed for engaging people that he had disagreed with before. This helped him understand the person’s perspective and motivations better instead of just dismissing them based on their first impressions. The quote is quite enlightening because when we emulate it, we are able to give people a second chance and get to know them without any prejudice. This in turn leads to more productive and deeper relationships with the people that we interact with.

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9 When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad

This quote was a succinct reflection of the president’s moral compass and personal philosophy.  In a simple way, he was able to articulate how a simple action can have an impact on a person’s overall well-being. He held that doing good and acting morally and compassionately produced a feeling of inner fulfilment and contentment. A person experiences inner conflict and remorse when they act in a morally dubious or damaging way towards others. This saying serves as a reminder of the value of moral conduct and the bearing it has on our level of personal contentment and self-worth.

10 I am not bound to win, I am not bound to be true, I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have

Photo by NEOM on Unsplash

The quote is a true testament to Abraham Lincoln’s commitment to his principles and ideologies. The quote shows that he would stick to what he considers right regardless of the successes and outcomes. The quote enlightens us on the importance of staying faithful to our conscience whether the result is favourable or not.

11 The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time

This quote stresses on the importance of living in the moment and taking each day as it comes. It also encourages us that even when we face troubles and difficulties in life we should not give up as they will come and go and there are better days ahead.  This quote is a source of comfort for people who are having challenges at the moment in that it encourages them to persevere and do their best.

12 The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just

This quote emphasizes the importance of holding on to what you believe in regardless of whether there are visible results. The fear of failure should not dissuade an individual from advocating for a cause that they think is worthy of their attention. Lincoln stressed that people should stand firm in the face of adversity and that often, meaningful causes usually have challenges and therefore, one should not give up.

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13 Folks are usually as happy as they make their minds to be

A picture of a smiley face. The people from the Tango! project, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The quote underscores how a person’s mindset and attitude influence their overall well-being and happiness. It suggests that happiness is not influenced by external factors and instead, it is a result of an individual’s perspective and mindset. By highlighting the power of the mind, the phrase motivates people to take charge of their own happiness. It implies that one’s degree of happiness may be considerably impacted by having a happy attitude toward life and making the choice to find joy in everyday activities. It advocates the notion that we can actively create pleasure through our thoughts and attitudes rather than waiting for it to happen to us.

14 Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. Shadow is what we think of it, the tree is the real thing

According to this contrast, a person’s “character” stands for their core principles, morality, and integrity, whereas their “reputation” refers to how other people view or evaluate them. According to Lincoln, a person’s character is the essence of who they are, equivalent to the true form and substance of a tree. It serves as the basis for the development of relationships, trust, and respect. It is a gauge of a person’s inherent traits and honesty.

However, a person’s “reputation” is simply how that character is seen by others, casting a shadow over them. External influences, viewpoints, and even false information may have an impact on this. Lincoln’s insight exhorts us to prioritise character development and upkeep because it is the true, enduring essence of who we are.

15 The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion.

A picture of a road in a valley. Photo by Valeriia Neganova on Unsplash 

This quote emphasizes the importance of being adaptable when changes come into our lives. How we are used to having things done and thinking may not be sufficient at times when we are facing challenges. Therefore, it is critical that we are innovative and pragmatic so that we can rise above what is plaguing us at that particular time.

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