Abraham Lincoln Quotes

I think the negro (sic) is included in the word “men” used in the Declaration of Independence – I believe the declaration that “all men are created equal” is the great fundamental principal upon which are free institutions rest.

Wise statesmen ... established these great self-evident truths, that when in the distant future some man, some faction, some interest, should set up the doctrine that none but rich men, or none but white men, were entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, their posterity should look up again at the Declaration of Independence and take courage to renew the battle which their fathers began.

Freedom and opportunity are precious gifts and the purpose of our politics is to expand them, for all our people.

We can continue our progress as a Nation toward the promise that all people are created equal and that our Nation will treat every person in that spirit.

I can say sincerely, don't take your voice for granted. It is truly what makes us all equal.

Either we are all free, or we fail; democracy must belong to all of us.

Without equality there can be no democracy.

It took America three-quarters of a century of agitation and four years of war to learn the meaning of the word "Liberty." God grant to teach us by easier lessons the meaning of the words, "equal rights.

Is it to be understood that the principles of the Declaration of Independence bear no relation to half of the human race?

The principles for which we stand are the principles of fair play and a square deal for every man and every woman in the United States.

Our fundamental principle is that people come before their government as equals.

The most powerful idea in the modern world: All men are created equal.

What is life without liberty; and what is liberty without equality of rights?

The arc of our history is toward more equality being expanded to more and more people.

Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy. What does social democracy mean? It means a way of life which recognizes liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life.

Outside of America, there are many people, myself included, who champion values that in some senses could be thought of as traditionally American: The idea that everybody is equal; the idea that the rights of women and men should be the same.

What I find most interesting about the U.S. is this idea of equality. That's what I'm trying to do with immigration. If what the founding fathers said is true, that we are all equal, then let's fight for that.

All men are created equal.

Nobody's lesser or greater; that's what our Constitution is about.

Nelson Mandela saw the potential of Africa and dedicated his life to changing the world in which we live while inspiring a movement towards social justice, peace and equal human rights.

I want to live in a Britain where there is a shared belief in freedom and democracy, and equal rights for men and women.

All Americans are taught, and hopefully believe, in the idea that we are all created equal and should be treated that way.

America promised equality. Its constitution said so. My schoolbooks said so. The country wasn't perfect, to be sure. But its ideals were. And every day brought us closer to those ideals.

Not all citizens can be equally strong; but they can all be equally free.

There must be equality of all men before God and in a democratic society. Now that's one of the great achievements.