--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The ballot is stronger than the bullet." description: "\"The ballot is stronger than the bullet.\" — Abraham Lincoln" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/abraham-lincoln-88_ballot_the-ballot-is-stronger-than-the-bullet-3_3230856.png" --- # The ballot is stronger than the bullet. ![“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/abraham-lincoln-88_ballot_the-ballot-is-stronger-than-the-bullet-3_3230856.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/abraham-lincoln-88_ballot_the-ballot-is-stronger-than-the-bullet-3_3230856.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/abraham-lincoln-88_ballot_the-ballot-is-stronger-than-the-bullet-3_3230856.png) > “The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” [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. He asserts that democratic voting power outweighs violent force in shaping society. **In simple terms:** Voting is more powerful than violence. Key Takeaway Support and protect voting rights. Themes democracy nonviolence political power citizen agency Mood inspirational determined Type political philosophical When to use this quote - Election campaigns - civic education workshops - legislative lobbying Key Concepts Civic duty political theory rights advocacy Questions to Reflect On - How can societies ensure bullets remains stronger than force? - What safeguards protect democratic processes? A Different Perspective May underestimate the impact of armed conflict in certain contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ballot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballot/) [Ballot Stronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballot-stronger-1089818/) [Bullet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bullet/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Stronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stronger/) [Stronger Bullet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stronger-bullet-1089817/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) ## Related quotes > [A ballot is stronger than a bullet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/a-ballot-is-stronger-than-a-bullet/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Like Lincoln, I would like to believe the ballot is stronger than the bullet. Then again, he said that before he got shot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-vowell/like-lincoln-i-would-like-to-believe-the-ballot-is-stronger-than-the/) [Sarah Vowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-vowell/) > [The ballot is stronger than bullets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-a-schumpeter/the-ballot-is-stronger-than-bullets/) [Joseph A. Schumpeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-a-schumpeter/) > [Abraham Lincoln once noted that 'the ballot is stronger than the bullet.' Foreign adversaries, who can't match the military, economic or diplomatic power of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-c-o-brien/abraham-lincoln-once-noted-that-the-ballot-is-stronger-than-the/) [Robert C. O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-c-o-brien/) > [Elections have been free and fair with full participation of the people, reinforcing that the ballot is mightier than the bullet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-thakur/elections-have-been-free-and-fair-with-full-participation-of-the/) [Anurag Thakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-thakur/) > [What I can accept is losing a fair election at the ballot box - if that is the will of the people. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmine-crockett/what-i-can-accept-is-losing-a-fair-election-at-the-ballot-box-if-that/) [Jasmine Crockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmine-crockett/) > [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/) > [If I put myself on the ballot and even 50 people voted for me, it'd be a travesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-franken/if-i-put-myself-on-the-ballot-and-even-50-people-voted-for-me-it-d-be/) [Al Franken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-franken/) > [Vote counting and ballot collecting does not occur in the light of day. There are too many occasions when observers and opposing parties lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-schaffer/vote-counting-and-ballot-collecting-does-not-occur-in-the-light-of/) [Bob Schaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-schaffer/) > [It's not the hand that signs the laws that holds the destiny of America. It's the hand that casts the ballot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/it-s-not-the-hand-that-signs-the-laws-that-holds-the-destiny-of/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [People don't wake up to go to vote and then have their ballot not counted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-turner/people-don-t-wake-up-to-go-to-vote-and-then-have-their-ballot-not/) [Nina Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-turner/) > [That's what my Dad always told me, on the ballot, they should always have a third choice, like none of the above, then if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-white/that-s-what-my-dad-always-told-me-on-the-ballot-they-should-always/) [Meg White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-white/) > [I think it's best if there's an amendment that goes on the ballot where the people can weigh in. Every time this issue has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-bachmann/i-think-it-s-best-if-there-s-an-amendment-that-goes-on-the-ballot/) [Michele Bachmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-bachmann/) > [If you don't know, your labor unions and community organizations, there's somebody you can ask to guide you. A lot of people, especially in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolores-huerta/if-you-don-t-know-your-labor-unions-and-community-organizations-there/) [Dolores Huerta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolores-huerta/) > [When and under what conditions is the black man to have a free ballot? When is he in fact to have those full civil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-harrison/when-and-under-what-conditions-is-the-black-man-to-have-a-free-ballot/) [Benjamin Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-harrison/) ## 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 Ballot quotes > [If you don't know, your labor unions and community organizations, there's somebody you can ask to guide you. A lot of people, especially in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolores-huerta/if-you-don-t-know-your-labor-unions-and-community-organizations-there/) [Dolores Huerta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolores-huerta/) > [I think it's best if there's an amendment that goes on the ballot where the people can weigh in. Every time this issue has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-bachmann/i-think-it-s-best-if-there-s-an-amendment-that-goes-on-the-ballot/) [Michele Bachmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-bachmann/) > [What I can accept is losing a fair election at the ballot box - if that is the will of the people. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmine-crockett/what-i-can-accept-is-losing-a-fair-election-at-the-ballot-box-if-that/) [Jasmine Crockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmine-crockett/) > [That's what my Dad always told me, on the ballot, they should always have a third choice, like none of the above, then if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-white/that-s-what-my-dad-always-told-me-on-the-ballot-they-should-always/) [Meg White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-white/) > [People don't wake up to go to vote and then have their ballot not counted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-turner/people-don-t-wake-up-to-go-to-vote-and-then-have-their-ballot-not/) [Nina Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-turner/) > [If I put myself on the ballot and even 50 people voted for me, it'd be a travesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-franken/if-i-put-myself-on-the-ballot-and-even-50-people-voted-for-me-it-d-be/) [Al Franken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-franken/) > [When and under what conditions is the black man to have a free ballot? When is he in fact to have those full civil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-harrison/when-and-under-what-conditions-is-the-black-man-to-have-a-free-ballot/) [Benjamin Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-harrison/) > [Vote counting and ballot collecting does not occur in the light of day. There are too many occasions when observers and opposing parties lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-schaffer/vote-counting-and-ballot-collecting-does-not-occur-in-the-light-of/) [Bob Schaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-schaffer/) > [It's not the hand that signs the laws that holds the destiny of America. It's the hand that casts the ballot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/it-s-not-the-hand-that-signs-the-laws-that-holds-the-destiny-of/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Our cause is a common one. It is war between poverty and wealth. ... This moneyed power is fast eating up the substance of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-sylvis/our-cause-is-a-common-one-it-is-war-between-poverty-and-wealth-this/) [William H. Sylvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-sylvis/) > [I'm not saying anything one way or the other about the two ballot issues. I am not speaking about the particular ballot issues. Those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-m-not-saying-anything-one-way-or-the-other-about-the-two-ballot/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [“Ballot papers don’t determine who leads; they determine who takes which position. As to whether that person occupying the position will lead or will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/ballot-papers-don-t-determine-who-leads-they-determine-who-takes/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [The right to participate in the choice of representatives for Congress includes, as we have said, the right to cast a ballot and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-f-stone/the-right-to-participate-in-the-choice-of-representatives-for/) [Harlan F. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-f-stone/) > [There is a subset of Democrats who tend to mis-fill out ballots. The way you mark the ballot is like an S.A.T. - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-franken/there-is-a-subset-of-democrats-who-tend-to-mis-fill-out-ballots-the/) [Al Franken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-franken/) > [If the ballot doesn't work, we'll try something else. But let us try the ballot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/if-the-ballot-doesn-t-work-we-ll-try-something-else-but-let-us-try/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) [Browse all 140 Ballot quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballot/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The ballot is stronger than the bullet.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Abraham Lincoln" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-ballot-is-stronger-than-the-bullet/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ballot" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-ballot-is-stronger-than-the-bullet/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/abraham-lincoln-88_ballot_the-ballot-is-stronger-than-the-bullet-3_3230856.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/abraham-lincoln-88_ballot_the-ballot-is-stronger-than-the-bullet-3_3230856.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/abraham-lincoln-88_ballot_the-ballot-is-stronger-than-the-bullet-3_3230856.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Abraham Lincoln", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The ballot is stronger than the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-ballot-is-stronger-than-the-bullet/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-ballot-is-stronger-than-the-bullet/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```