Absolutely nothing Quote by Abraham Lincoln
“The Democracy of to-day hold the liberty of one man to be absolutely nothing, when in conflict with another mans right of property. Republicans, on the contrary, are for both the man and the dollar; but in cases of conflict, the man before the dollar.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to the Republican National Convention, 1860
The quote warns that democracy can suppress individual liberty when property rights clash, while Republicans prioritize both people and money, favoring individuals over profit in conflicts.
In simple terms: Democracy may ignore personal freedom when property rights clash; Republicans favor people over profit.
Key Takeaway
Balance individual rights with property concerns.
Themes
democracy
property rights
politics
individual liberty
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legal debates
- legislative drafting
- civil rights activism
- economic policy discussions
Key Concepts
liberty
conflict resolution
political philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How should societies reconcile individual liberty with property rights?
- When does prioritizing property over people become unjust?
A Different Perspective
May overlook complexities of wealth inequality and collective needs.
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