Abraham Lincoln on Wealth Quotes

"My experience of men has neither disposed me to think worse of them nor better of them."

"The progress by which the poor, honest, industrious, and resolute man becomes a rich man, is the great principle for which a free society is organized."

"I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House. I am living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father's child has."

"You cannot fail, if you resolutely determine, that you will not."

"Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration."

"I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are created free and equal."

"To give victory to the right, not bloody bullets, but peaceful ballots only, are necessary."

"I want every man to have a chance—and I believe a black man is entitled to it—in which he can better his condition."

"If any continue through life in the condition of the hired laborer, it is not the fault of the system, but because of either a dependent nature which advertises it, or improvidence, folly, or singular misfortune."

"The leading object of the government is to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all—to afford all, an unfettered start, and a fair chance in the race of life."

"No country can sustain, in idleness, more than a small percentage of its numbers."

"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis."

"You are not lazy, and still you are an idler. I doubt whether since I saw you, you have done a good whole day’s work, in any one day."

"Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him work diligently and build one for himself."

"The way for a young man to rise is to improve himself every way he can, never suspecting that any body wishes to hinder him."

"The man who labored for another last year, this year labors for himself, and next year he will hire others to labor for him."

"As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy."

"I hold that while man exists it is his duty to improve not only his own condition, but to assist in ameliorating mankind."

"Work, work, work, is the main thing."

"I don't know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be."

"The lady of the house... is not more proud of her silk gown than the laborer is of his broadcloth coat, if he has earned it."

"Property is the fruit of labor; property is desirable; it is a positive good in the world."

"I shall try to correct errors when shown to be errors; and I shall adopt new views so fast as they shall appear to be true views."

"Resolve to be honest at all events; and if in your own judgment you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer."

"A lawyer's time and advice are his stock in trade."

"I am a living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father's child has."

"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 up to what light I have."

"Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed."

"The hired laborer of yesterday works on his own account today, and hires others to help him tomorrow."

"I believe each individual is naturally entitled to do as he pleases with himself and the fruit of his labor."

"The prudent, penniless beginner in the world labors for wages awhile, saves a surplus with which to buy tools or land for himself."

"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm."

"Gold is good in its place; but living, brave, patriotic men are better than gold."