Arguing Quote by Abraham Lincoln
“I have always thought that all men should be free; but if any should be slaves, it should be first those who desire for themselves, and secondly those who desire it for others. Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unknown, attributed to Lincoln
Advocates that slavery is morally wrong and should be rejected, especially by those who desire it for themselves or others.
In simple terms: Slavery is unjust, especially for those who want it.
Key Takeaway
Reject slavery in all forms.
Themes
freedom
justice
ethics
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- political debate
- legal reform
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
human rights
moral philosophy
personal responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How does personal desire for freedom affect views on slavery?
- What modern issues reflect similar moral dilemmas?
A Different Perspective
May be a paraphrase, not a verified speech.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
