31 Inpirational Abraham Lincoln Quotes for Leaders

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, presided over one of the most tumultuous times in the history of the United States. A great orator, President Lincoln left us a legacy of wisdom in the form of his speeches and the many quotes attributed to him.

Today, leaders face challenges each day. Fortunately few of us face the changes in the scope and magnitude that President Lincoln addressed. In this article, you will find 31 quotes that are as relevant today as they were in the 1860s.

Enjoy these inspirational words from President Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln Quotes About Character

You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry.

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

Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

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.

How many legs does a dog have if you call his tail a leg? Four. Saying that a tail is a leg doesn’t make it a leg.

Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?

Be with a leader when he is right, stay with him when he is still right, but, leave him when he is wrong.

I am rather inclined to silence, and whether that be wise or not, it is at least more unusual nowadays to find a man who can hold his tongue than to find one who cannot.

Perhaps a man’s character was like a tree and his reputation like a shadow; the shadow is what we think of it, the tree is like the real thing.

It often requires more courage to dare to do right than to fear to do wrong.

I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.

Abraham Lincoln Quotes About Government

The legitimate object of government is to do for the people what needs to be done, but which they cannot, by individual effort, for at all, or do so well, for themselves.

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 fall – but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.

Abraham Lincoln on Mindset

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.

Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren’t very new at all.

Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.

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

Related Article: 33 Amazing Quotes on Mindset

Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves.

Adhere to your purpose and you will soon feel as well as you ever did. On the contrary, if you falter, and give up, you will lose the power of keeping any resolution and will regret it all your life.

And in the end, it is not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.

We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.

Every man’s happiness is his own responsibility.

There are no accidents in my philosophy. Every effect must have its cause. The past is the cause of the present, and the present will be the cause of the future. All these are links in the endless chain stretching from the finite to the infinite.

President Lincoln on Effort

Whatever you are, be a good one.

I walk slowly, but never backward.

Related Article: 25 of the Best Quotes About Hard Work

When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot, and hang on.

Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.

Abraham Lincoln on Accomplishment

Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.

My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.

You have to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.

That some achieve great success, is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the inspiring words of President Abraham Lincoln! Which quote was most relevant to you today? Leave a comment below.

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