Quotes by Abraham Lincoln

This country belongs to the people who inhabit it

This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing Government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it.

— Abraham Lincoln

A crisis approaching

I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. . . . Corporations have been enthroned, an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money-power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until the wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed.

— Abraham Lincoln

Jack London's "The Iron Heel"

To test a man's character

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

— Abraham Lincoln