25 Most Powerful Abraham Lincoln Quotes to Live By Today

Abraham Lincoln's words cut across time because they capture honesty, endurance, humility, and moral courage. A single line from him can reframe your day, steady your resolve, or remind you of what matters most. Use these quotes when you need motivation to act, clarity for leadership, comfort in hardship, or a short, honest truth to share with others.

Motivational quotes

• "Whatever you are, be a good one." — Abraham Lincoln
• "I am a slow walker, but I never walk back." — Abraham Lincoln
• "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." — Abraham Lincoln
• "Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." — Abraham Lincoln
• "I will study and get ready; and perhaps my chance will come." — Abraham Lincoln

Leadership & Character quotes

• "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." — Abraham Lincoln
• "Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow; the shadow is what we think of it, the tree is the real thing." — Abraham Lincoln
• "I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true." — Abraham Lincoln
• "I don't like that man. I must get to know him better." — Abraham Lincoln
• "I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday." — Abraham Lincoln

Life wisdom quotes

• "Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be." — Abraham Lincoln
• "The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time." — Abraham Lincoln
• "Die when I may, I want it said of me that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow." — Abraham Lincoln
• "No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar." — Abraham Lincoln
• "Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed." — Abraham Lincoln

Perseverance & Resilience quotes

• "You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today." — Abraham Lincoln
• "I would rather be right than be president." — Abraham Lincoln
• "When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion." — Abraham Lincoln
• "My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side." — Abraham Lincoln

Freedom & Justice quotes

• "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves." — Abraham Lincoln
• "The ballot is stronger than the bullet." — Abraham Lincoln
• "With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right..." — Abraham Lincoln

Daily inspiration & success quotes

• "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." — Abraham Lincoln
• "A house divided against itself cannot stand." — Abraham Lincoln
• "I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice." — Abraham Lincoln
• "There is no grievance that is a fit object of redress by mob law." — Abraham Lincoln

Quotes are compact tools — a short line can prompt courage, slow you down when haste tempts you, or sharpen the way you lead. Keep a few of these on your desk, in your notes app, or as part of your morning routine; revisit them when you need steadying, direction, or a reminder of the values worth living by.