"We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution."
"I am approached with the most opposite opinions and advice, and that by religious men, who are equally certain that they represent the Divine will. ... I hope it will not be irreverent for me to say that if it is probable that God would reveal his will to others, on a point so connected with my duty, it might be supposed he would reveal it directly to me... These are not, however, the days of miracles ... I must study the plain physical facts of the case, ascertain what is possible, and learn what appears to be wise and right."
3 likes
Source: Reply to an Emancipation Memorial (1862), published in The Life and Public Services of Abraham Lincoln edited by Henry Jarvis Raymond and Francis Bicknell Carpenter, (p. 255), 1865.
About the author
Same author
More quotes by Abraham Lincoln
"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."
"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country... corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed."
"The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time."