10 Most Powerful Abraham Lincoln Quotes (With Leadership Lessons for 2026)

Abraham Lincoln’s words – spoken during America’s darkest hour – still guide leaders, citizens, and thinkers in 2026. Here are the ten that hit hardest today, with direct links to the original sources.

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

Attributed (widely accepted)
Abraham Lincoln Online – Speeches & Writings
2026 lesson: The ultimate test for politicians, CEOs, and anyone with influence.

2. “Whatever you are, be a good one.”

Attributed (common in Lincoln’s letters)
Abraham Lincoln Online – Quotes
2026 lesson: Excellence over perfection – the original personal branding advice.

3. “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?”

Attributed (widely accepted)
Abraham Lincoln Online – Quotes
2026 lesson: De-escalation in a polarised world.

4. “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side.”

Attributed (common in Lincoln’s speeches)
Abraham Lincoln Online – Quotes
2026 lesson: Humility over certainty – still relevant in every debate.

5. “I am a slow walker, but I never walk back.”

Attributed
Abraham Lincoln Online – Quotes
2026 lesson: Persistence in long-term goals.

6. “The best way to predict your future is to create it.”

Attributed (widely accepted)
Abraham Lincoln Online – Quotes
2026 lesson: The original entrepreneurial mindset.

7. “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

Attributed
Abraham Lincoln Online – Quotes
2026 lesson: Preparation over panic – perfect for project management.

8. “I walk slowly, but I never walk backward.”

Attributed
Abraham Lincoln Online – Quotes
2026 lesson: Progress over perfection.

9. “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”

Attributed
Abraham Lincoln Online – Quotes
2026 lesson: Quality over quantity – the ultimate life advice.

10. “Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.”

Attributed
Abraham Lincoln Online – Quotes
2026 lesson: Conviction after research – essential in an age of misinformation.

Why a Lincoln Bust Is the Perfect Daily Leadership Reminder

These words hit harder when the man who spoke them is watching you work. Our 26 cm Lincoln bust is cast from the famous Alexander Gardner 1863 photograph, available in Antique Bronze or Stone White.

Source

All quotes from the Abraham Lincoln Online collection of verified and attributed sayings: Abraham Lincoln Online – Quotes