--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think the authors of that notable…" description: "\"I think the authors of that notable instrument [the Declaration of Independence] intended to include all men.\" — Abraham Lincoln" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aba/abraham-lincoln-88_books_i-think-the-authors-of-that-notable-inst_960186.png" --- # I think the authors of that notable instrument \[the… ![“I think the authors of that notable instrument [the Declaration of Independence] intended to include all men.” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aba/abraham-lincoln-88_books_i-think-the-authors-of-that-notable-inst_960186.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aba/abraham-lincoln-88_books_i-think-the-authors-of-that-notable-inst_960186.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aba/abraham-lincoln-88_books_i-think-the-authors-of-that-notable-inst_960186.png) > “I think the authors of that notable instrument \[the Declaration of Independence\] intended to include all men.” [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. The Declaration aimed to guarantee equality for all people, not just a select few. **In simple terms:** Declaration intended universal inclusion. Key Takeaway Uphold equality for everyone. Themes equality rights inclusion Mood inspirational thoughtful historical Type political ethical philosophical When to use this quote - legal reforms - civil rights movements - policy drafting - educational curricula Key Concepts human rights democracy founding principles Questions to Reflect On - Does true equality require systemic change? - How can we honor original intent today? A Different Perspective Interpretations vary on scope of “all men.” ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Civil rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-rights/) [Declaration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/declaration/) [Declaration of independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/declaration-of-independence/) [Equality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equality/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [In those days, our Declaration of Independence was held sacred by all, and thought to include all; but now, to aid in the making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-those-days-our-declaration-of-independence-was-held-sacred-by-all/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Do not destroy that immortal emblem of humanity, the Declaration of Independence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/do-not-destroy-that-immortal-emblem-of-humanity-the-declaration-of/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I have never had a feeling, politically, that did not spring from the Declaration of Independence that all should have an equal chance. 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Let north and south - let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-re-adopt-the-declaration-of-independence-and-with-it-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [As the patriots of seventy-six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and Laws, let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/as-the-patriots-of-seventy-six-did-to-the-support-of-the-declaration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Wise statesmen ... established these great self-evident truths, that when in the distant future some man, some faction, some interest, should set up the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/wise-statesmen-established-these-great-self-evident-truths-that-when/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I have never had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-have-never-had-a-feeling-politically-that-did-not-spring-from-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves... and include all men capable of bearing arms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-henry-lee/a-militia-when-properly-formed-are-in-fact-the-people-themselves-and/) [Richard Henry Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-henry-lee/) > [When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/when-the-architects-of-our-republic-wrote-the-magnificent-words-of/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [The Declaration of Independence has been called, with some justice, the most revolutionary document in human history, in that it placed the individual person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bock/the-declaration-of-independence-has-been-called-with-some-justice-the/) Alan Bock > [Whereas, Slavery, throughout its entire existence in the United States is none other than a most barbarous, unprovoked, and unjustifiable War of one portion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/whereas-slavery-throughout-its-entire-existence-in-the-united-states/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [Many a revolution started with the actions of a few. Only 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence. A few hanging together can lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/many-a-revolution-started-with-the-actions-of-a-few-only-56-men/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [In name we had the Declaration of Independence in 1776; but we gave the lie by our acts to the words of the Declaration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/in-name-we-had-the-declaration-of-independence-in-1776-but-we-gave/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [They were not mentioned in the Declaration of Independence, they were absent in the Constitution and they were invisible in the new political democracy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/they-were-not-mentioned-in-the-declaration-of-independence-they-were/) [Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/) > [The Declaration of Independence, the words that launched our nation -- 1,300 words. The Bible, the word of God -- 773,000 words. The Tax…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-forbes/the-declaration-of-independence-the-words-that-launched-our-nation-1/) [Steve Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-forbes/) ## 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 Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) Christopher K. 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