Some of Lincoln's and Washington's Principles

I remember when we used to celebrate Lincoln's birthday on Feb 12th, and Washington's on February 22nd, to reflect on their lives until, in 1971, the appeal of having a 3-day holiday led us instead to having President's Day on the third Monday in February. The shift was so we could have a long weekend, which is what we are excited about today while remembering these two great men and their principles is now no longer done. I love the long weekend, but I still want to reflect on a few of these principled men's principles. It’s good advice.

From Lincoln:

"Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way."

"The probability that we may fall in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just; it shall not deter me."

"Always keep in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other thing."

"My greatest concern is not whether you have failed but whether you are content with your failure."

"The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject any thing, is not whether it has any evil in it; but whether it has more of evil, than of good."

"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships."

"I believe each individual is naturally entitled to do as he pleases with himself and the fruit of his labor so far as it in no way interferes with any other man's rights."

"Truth is generally the best vindication against slander."

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." (Attributed to Lincoln but not certain it’s his)

"A house divided against itself cannot stand."

"My dream is of a place and time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth."

George Washington

"I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man."

"Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government."

"When one side only of a story is heard and often repeated, the human mind becomes impressed with it insensibly."

"Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest."

"The friends of humanity will deprecate war, wheresoever it may appear; and we have experience enough of its evils, in this country, to know, that it should not be wantonly or unnecessarily entered upon."

"It is essential that public opinion should be enlightened."