Attributed in The Life of Abraham Lincoln (1866) by Josiah G. Holland, p. 23; also in The Real Life of Abraham Lincoln (1867) by George Alfred Townsend, p. 6; according to Townsend, Lincoln made this remark to his law partner, William Herndon. It is disputed whether this quote refers to Lincoln's natural mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, who died when he was nine years old, or to his stepmother, Sarah Bush (Johnston) Lincoln.
More quotes by Abraham Lincoln
Without the military help of the black freedman, the war against the South could not have been won.
Slavery is founded in the selfishness of man's nature — opposition to it, in his love of justice.
Beware of rashness, but with energy and sleepless vigilance go forward and give us victories.
Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.
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Attribution
Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Abraham Lincoln (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.