Affirming Quote by Abraham Lincoln
“Most governments have been based, practically, on the denial of equal rights of menours began, by affirming those rights. They said, some men are too ignorant, and vicious, to share in government. Possibly so, said we; and, by your system, you would always keep them ignorant, and vicious. We proposed to give all a chance; and we expected the weak to grow stronger, the ignorant wiser; and all better, and happier together.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Gettysburg Address, 1863 (paraphrased)
Equal rights require denying the notion that some are inherently unfit to govern.
In simple terms: All deserve equal political chance.
Key Takeaway
Promote inclusive governance.
Themes
equality
justice
democracy
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- voting rights
- education reform
- community organizing
- policy making
Key Concepts
civil rights
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What barriers still prevent equal participation?
- How can societies ensure informed citizenship?
A Different Perspective
Historical context may differ from modern complexities.
![“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)
![“[F]or academic men to be happy, the universe would have to take shape. All of philosophy has no other goal: it is a matter of giving a frock coat to what is, a mathematical frock coat. On the other hand, affirming that the universe resembles nothing and is only formless amounts to saying that the…” quote by Georges Bataille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d5d/georges-bataille-3741_academic_f-or-academic-men-to-be-happy-the-univer_156790.jpg)
