--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape…" description: "\"Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af9/abraham-lincoln-88_administration_fellow-citizens-we-cannot-escape-history_144626.jpg" --- # Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this… ![“Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af9/abraham-lincoln-88_administration_fellow-citizens-we-cannot-escape-history_144626.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af9/abraham-lincoln-88_administration_fellow-citizens-we-cannot-escape-history_144626.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af9/abraham-lincoln-88_administration_fellow-citizens-we-cannot-escape-history_144626.jpg) > “Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation.” [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. History judges leaders by their actions; personal significance matters less than collective legacy. **In simple terms:** Our deeds define us more than our status. Key Takeaway Act with integrity for future generations. Themes legacy history leadership responsibility Mood reflective serious Type historical inspirational When to use this quote - political decisions - public service - national crises Key Concepts historical impact collective memory Questions to Reflect On - How will your choices be remembered? - What legacy do you want to leave? A Different Perspective Individual actions may be overlooked in the larger historical narrative. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Administration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/administration/) [Citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens/) [Civil war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-war/) [Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress/) [Dishonor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dishonor/) [Fellow citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fellow-citizens/) [Fiery Trial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiery-trial-988832/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [History Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history-congress-1625247/) [Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor/) [Insignificance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insignificance/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Remembered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remembered/) [Remembered Spite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remembered-spite-1625246/) [Significance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/significance/) [Spite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spite/) [Trials](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trials/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [The fiery trials through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-fiery-trials-through-which-we-pass-will-light-us-down-in-honor-or/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“This is how I want to be remembered: In spite of everything, she really tried to be nice and believed other people did too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mik-everett/this-is-how-i-want-to-be-remembered-in-spite-of-everything-she-really/) [Mik Everett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mik-everett/) > [These fiery trials are designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to diminish or even destroy your trust in the Son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/these-fiery-trials-are-designed-to-make-you-stronger-but-they-have/) [Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/) > [“She wanted to kiss the hurt away, but knew from her own life that it would always be there. The sadness would remain, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-kay/she-wanted-to-kiss-the-hurt-away-but-knew-from-her-own-life-that-it/) [Sharon Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-kay/) > [Like the intense fire that transforms iron into steel, as we remain faithful during the fiery trial of our faith, we are spiritually refined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/like-the-intense-fire-that-transforms-iron-into-steel-as-we-remain/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“First Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/first-peter-4-12-says-beloved-do-not-think-it-strange-concerning-the/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-dogmas-of-the-quiet-past-are-inadequate-to-the-stormy-present-the-5/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/fellow-citizens-we-cannot-escape-history/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/almighty-god-we-make-our-earnest-prayer-that-thou-wilt-incline-the/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Whites, like ourselves, belong to our country. They are compatriots, fellow citizens... we see them as Africans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-tambo/whites-like-ourselves-belong-to-our-country-they-are-compatriots/) [Oliver Tambo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-tambo/) > [We have the incredible privilege of serving in the highest offices in the state. We must prove ourselves worthy of our fellow citizens' faith.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-rell/we-have-the-incredible-privilege-of-serving-in-the-highest-offices-in/) [Jodi Rell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-rell/) > [I hurry to express to you and your fellow citizens my profound sorrow and my closeness in prayer for the nation at this dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/i-hurry-to-express-to-you-and-your-fellow-citizens-my-profound-sorrow/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [We reaffirm that on days like this, there are no Republicans or Democrats. We are Americans, united in concern for our fellow citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-reaffirm-that-on-days-like-this-there-are-no-republicans-or/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [When an American asks for the cooperation of his fellow citizens, it is seldom refused; and I have often seen it afforded spontaneously and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/when-an-american-asks-for-the-cooperation-of-his-fellow-citizens-it/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [In conclusion I congratulate you, my fellow-citizens, upon the high state of prosperity to which the goodness of Divine Providence has conducted our common…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-taylor/in-conclusion-i-congratulate-you-my-fellow-citizens-upon-the-high/) [Zachary Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-taylor/) ## More by Abraham Lincoln > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/all-that-i-am-or-ever-hope-to-be-i-owe-to-my-angel-mother/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If you wish to be a lawyer, attach no consequence to the place you are in, or the person you are with; but get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/if-you-wish-to-be-a-lawyer-attach-no-consequence-to-the-place-you-are/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [As we keep or break the Sabbath Day we nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope by which man rises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/as-we-keep-or-break-the-sabbath-day-we-nobly-save-or-meanly-lose-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Tell the truth and you won't have so much to remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/tell-the-truth-and-you-won-t-have-so-much-to-remember/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [With high hope for the future, no prediction is ventured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/with-high-hope-for-the-future-no-prediction-is-ventured/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We know, Southern men declare that their slaves are better off than hired laborers amongst us. How little they know, whereof they speak! There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/we-know-southern-men-declare-that-their-slaves-are-better-off-than/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I am glad to see that a system of labor prevails under which laborers can strike when they want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-am-glad-to-see-that-a-system-of-labor-prevails-under-which-laborers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I don't like that man. I must get to know him better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-don-t-like-that-man-i-must-get-to-know-him-better/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and to the young, it comes with bitterest agony because it takes them unawares.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-this-sad-world-of-ours-sorrow-comes-to-all-and-to-the-young-it/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am. None who would do more to preserve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-man-does-not-live-who-is-more-devoted-to-peace-than-i-am-none-who/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) [Explore all 1,437 Abraham Lincoln quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## More Administration quotes > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If you want to serve in a Trump administration, you're going to serve this country, not yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-spicer/if-you-want-to-serve-in-a-trump-administration-you-re-going-to-serve/) [Sean Spicer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-spicer/) > [Listen, I have a great affection and respect for Joe Biden. I think he's been a great vice president. He's taken on a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-axelrod/listen-i-have-a-great-affection-and-respect-for-joe-biden-i-think-he/) [David Axelrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-axelrod/) > [I don't believe anyone that I know in the administration ever said that Iraq had nuclear weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/i-don-t-believe-anyone-that-i-know-in-the-administration-ever-said/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [What was unique about me being in City Hall during the Giuliani Administration, I was the only one who wasn't an attorney. I may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lhota/what-was-unique-about-me-being-in-city-hall-during-the-giuliani/) [Joe Lhota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lhota/) > [The Trump administration launched the cruise missile strikes in Syria, an act of war, without a U.N. resolution or Congressional authorization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-bergen/the-trump-administration-launched-the-cruise-missile-strikes-in-syria/) [Peter Bergen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-bergen/) > [The only way I'll ever run a marathon is if I'm involved in the administration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-phillips/the-only-way-i-ll-ever-run-a-marathon-is-if-i-m-involved-in-the/) [Sally Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-phillips/) > [Obama spent the first two years of his administration practicing political unilateral disarmament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cenk-uygur/obama-spent-the-first-two-years-of-his-administration-practicing/) [Cenk Uygur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cenk-uygur/) > [The actions of the University in my case make it abundantly clear that the Administration's rhetoric about Harvard's desire to attract and retain the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-geller/the-actions-of-the-university-in-my-case-make-it-abundantly-clear/) [Margaret Geller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-geller/) > [In mid-May, the House of Representatives approved the full amount of money that the Veterans Administration said was needed for next year - plus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doc-hastings/in-mid-may-the-house-of-representatives-approved-the-full-amount-of/) [Doc Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doc-hastings/) > [In 1953, the United States played a significant role in orchestrating the overthrow of Iran's popular prime minister, Mohammed Mossadegh. The Eisenhower administration believed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/in-1953-the-united-states-played-a-significant-role-in-orchestrating/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [The administration of George W. Bush, emboldened by the Sept. 11 attacks and the backing of a Republican Congress, has sought to further extend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-feldman/the-administration-of-george-w-bush-emboldened-by-the-sept-11-attacks/) [Noah Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-feldman/) > [When we criticize in Iran the actions of the government, the fundamentalists say that we and the Bush Administration are in the same camp.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/when-we-criticize-in-iran-the-actions-of-the-government-the/) [Shirin Ebadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirin-ebadi/) > [We will finally complete the biometric entry-exit visa tracking system, which we need desperately. For years Congress has required biometric entry-exit visa tracking systems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-will-finally-complete-the-biometric-entry-exit-visa-tracking/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) [Browse all 1,855 Administration quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/administration/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us. 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