The diversity of Lincoln's genius is nowhere more apparent than in the innumerable quaint sayings and epigrammatic phrases which he originated and which have become household words to all Americans. These gems of thought and expression, these quaint conceits and homely similes, as far as they appear in his authenticated writings and speeches, are here gathered together and arranged roughly by their subject matter. They are selected from The Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln,* and the reference at the end of each is to the volume and page of that work. *The Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, edited by John G. Nicolay and John Hay. New and enlarged edition. 8vo. New York, Francis D. Tandy Company. 12 vols. 205112 Anthology of Sayings of Abraham Lincoln. HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF "A house divided against itself cannot stand." I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved-I do not expect the house to fallbut I do expect it will cease to be divided.Speech at Springfield, Ill., June 16, 1858, vol. III, p. I. WITH MALICE TOWARD NONE With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan-to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations. Second Inaugural Address, Mar. 4, 1865, vol. XI, p. 46. 3 1 LET BYGONES BE BYGONES Let bygones be bygones; let past differences as nothing be; and with steady eye on the real issue, let us reinaugurate the good old "central ideas" of the republic. The human heart is with us. God is with -Speech at Chicago Banquet, Dec. 10, 1856, vol. II, p. 31I. us. FEW THINGS WHOLLY EVIL The true rule, in determining to embrace or reject anything is not whether it have any evil in it, but whether it have more of evil than of good. There are few things wholly evil or wholly good.Speech on Internal Improvements, June 20, 1848, vol. II, p. 37. FAITH THAT RIGHT MAKES MIGHT Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it.Address at Cooper Institute, New York City, Feb. 27, 1860, vol. V, p. 328. FOOLING THE PEOPLE 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 of the time. -Speech at Clinton, Ill., Sept. 8, 1858, vol. III, p. 349. |