I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.

—Abraham Lincoln

About Abraham Lincoln

Portrait of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the 16th president of the United States, from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He led the United States through the American Civil War, defeating the Confederacy and playing a major role in the abolition of slavery.

More quotations from Abraham Lincoln

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

—Abraham Lincoln

While the people retain their virtue, and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government, in the short space of four years.

—Abraham Lincoln

There is an important sense in which government is distinctive from administration. One is perpetual, the other is temporary and changeable. A man may be loyal to his government and yet oppose the particular principles and methods of administration.

—Abraham Lincoln

We know nothing of what will happen in the future, but in the analogy of experience.

—Abraham Lincoln

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

—Abraham Lincoln

More quotations tagged with “justice”

I have a friend who has devoted most of his adult life to resisting the madness of war through actions of justice and peace. He . . . lives in poverty so as to stay below the taxation level. . . . The money he "should" have given the government over the years he has donated to peace-and-justice projects. Does he have any results to show for his efforts? Has he been effective? Hardly — at least, not by the normal calculus. His years of commitment to peacemaking have been years of steady increase in wars and rumors of wars. So how does he stay healthy and sane? How does he maintain a commitment to this sort of active life? "I have never asked myself if I was being effective," he says, "but only if I was being faithful." He judges his action not by the results it gets, but by its fidelity to his own calling and identity.

—Parker J. Palmer

justice war peace identity poverty government faith calling

It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.

justice war morality violence murder

When love is gone, there's always justice./ And when justice is gone, there's always force./ And when force is gone, there's always Mom./ Hi, Mom!

—Laurie Anderson

justice love force parenting mothers dependability Mom

When the judge calls the criminal's name out, he stands up, and they are immediately linked by a strange biology that makes them both opposite and complementary. The one cannot exist without the other. Which is the sun and which is the shadow? It's well known some criminals have been great men.

justice crime judgment biology

The great thieves punish the little ones.

—Thomas Fuller

justice morality stealing thievery