---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery…"
description: "\"I am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong. I can not remember when I did not so think, and feel. And yet I have never unde..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29d/abraham-lincoln-88_american-slavery_i-am-naturally-anti-slavery-if-slavery-i_819526.png"
---

#  I am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery is not wrong…

![“I am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong. I can not remember when I did not so think, and feel. And yet I have never understood that the Presidency conferred upon me an unrestricted right to act officially upon this judgment and feeling.” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29d/abraham-lincoln-88_american-slavery_i-am-naturally-anti-slavery-if-slavery-i_819526.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29d/abraham-lincoln-88_american-slavery_i-am-naturally-anti-slavery-if-slavery-i_819526.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29d/abraham-lincoln-88_american-slavery_i-am-naturally-anti-slavery-if-slavery-i_819526.png)

> “I am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong. I can not remember when I did not so think, and feel. And yet I have never understood that the Presidency conferred upon me an unrestricted right to act officially upon this judgment and feeling.”

[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.

Lincoln asserts that slavery is inherently immoral and that any belief contradicting this is false, emphasizing personal conviction over official authority.

**In simple terms:** Slavery is wrong; anything else is wrong.

Key Takeaway

Question authority when it conflicts with morality.

Themes

morality politics conscience

Mood

reflective determined

Type

political ethical

When to use this quote

- legislative debates
- civil rights activism
- personal moral dilemmas

Key Concepts

human rights ethical absolutism

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you act when law opposes your conscience?
- Can personal belief justify defying authority?

A Different Perspective

Political power may limit personal moral action.

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[American slavery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-slavery/) [Anti slavery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anti-slavery/) [Civil war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-war/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judgment/) [Presidency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presidency/) [Remember when](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember-when/) [Slavery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slavery/) [Slavery in america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slavery-in-america/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/)

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