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"When I get ready to talk to people, I spend two-thirds of the time thinking what they want to hear and one-third thinking about what I want to say." - Abraham Lincoln

As all who have read anything of American History know, Abraham Lincoln, our 16th United States President, came from humble beginnings. Born February 12, 1809, in a one-room log cabin to uneducated parents.

Lincoln attended formal school for only 18 months. An avid reader, he would walk for miles to borrow the many books that became the source of his education. This self-education man, however, would become the first President born outside of the original 13 colonies and the 1st Republican President of the United States.

Many of the statements, both spoken and written, that are accounted to Abraham Lincoln, reflect his devout beliefs and values:

"Character is like a tree and reputation is like s shadow. The shadow is what we think o fit, the tree is the real thing: I desire so to conduct the affairs of this administration that if at the end, when I come to lay down the reins of power, I have lost every other friend on earth, I shall at least have one friend left, and that friend shall be down inside me."

"Die when I may, I want to said of me that I plucked a weed and planted a flower where ever I thought a flower would grow."

"I am for those means which will give the greatest good to the greatest number."

"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today."

"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues."

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."

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

As with all of our Presidents, many of Abraham Lincoln's well-known quotes were contained in speeches made to the American people and relate to current events and politics of the time:

"Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally."

"A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free."

"No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent."

"Let us turn this government back into the channel in which the framers of the Constitution originally placed it."

William H. Herndon, Lincoln's law associate, described his partner as having great mental and physical strength - "capable of immense physical and mental labor" with "mind and body in perfect harmony". Herndon also related his impression of Lincoln as being "intensely thoughtful" and "tireless in thinking".

As one of the most recognized symbols of American democracy, Abraham Lincoln's words will undoubtedly be carried forward through many more generations.

Learn more about this author, Debra Herring.
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