--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: While I have often said that all men out…" description: "\"While I have often said that all men out to be free, yet I would allow those colored persons to be slaves who want to be; and next to them those white ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da0/abraham-lincoln-88_arguing_while-i-have-often-said-that-all-men-out_2847633.png" --- # While I have often said that all men out to be free, yet I… ![“While I have often said that all men out to be free, yet I would allow those colored persons to be slaves who want to be; and next to them those white persons who argue in favor of making other people slaves. I am in favor of giving an opportunity to such white men to try it on for themselves.” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da0/abraham-lincoln-88_arguing_while-i-have-often-said-that-all-men-out_2847633.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da0/abraham-lincoln-88_arguing_while-i-have-often-said-that-all-men-out_2847633.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da0/abraham-lincoln-88_arguing_while-i-have-often-said-that-all-men-out_2847633.png) > “While I have often said that all men out to be free, yet I would allow those colored persons to be slaves who want to be; and next to them those white persons who argue in favor of making other people slaves. I am in favor of giving an opportunity to such white men to try it on for themselves.” [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 speaker paradoxically supports freedom for some while endorsing slavery for others, exposing contradictory moral reasoning. **In simple terms:** Contradictory stance on freedom and slavery. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge internal contradictions. Themes morality freedom hypocrisy Mood critical reflective Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - political debate - civil rights movements - historical analysis Key Concepts ethical inconsistency social justice Questions to Reflect On - What are the dangers of selective liberty? - How can societies avoid such double standards? A Different Perspective The view is morally untenable and historically inaccurate. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arguing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arguing/) [Be a slave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-a-slave/) [Favors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/favors/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Next](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Slaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-slaves-290394/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Persons Slaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons-slaves-3770562/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Slave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slave/) [Slaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slaves/) [Slaves Favor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slaves-favor-3770561/) [Slaves Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slaves-want-3770560/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white/) [White man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white-man/) ## Related quotes > [Slaves do what others want. Servants do what others need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hunter/slaves-do-what-others-want-servants-do-what-others-need/) [James Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hunter/) > [This is a world of compensations; and he who would be no slave, must consent to have no slave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/this-is-a-world-of-compensations-and-he-who-would-be-no-slave-must/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [In the first place, I insist that our fathers did not make this nation half slave and half free, or part slave and part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-the-first-place-i-insist-that-our-fathers-did-not-make-this-nation/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [So plain that no one, high or low, ever does mistake it, except in a plainly selfish way; for although volume upon volume is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/so-plain-that-no-one-high-or-low-ever-does-mistake-it-except-in-a/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If we cannot give freedom to every creature, let us do nothing that will impose slavery upon any other creature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/if-we-cannot-give-freedom-to-every-creature-let-us-do-nothing-that/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I believe the declaration that ‘all men are created equal’ is the great fundamental principle upon which our free institutions rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-believe-the-declaration-that-all-men-are-created-equal-is-the-great/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [What I do say is, that no man is good enough to govern another man, without that other's consent. I say this is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/what-i-do-say-is-that-no-man-is-good-enough-to-govern-another-man/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I hate it because of the monstrous injustice of slavery itself. I hate it because it deprives our republican example of its just influence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-hate-it-because-of-the-monstrous-injustice-of-slavery-itself-i-hate/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Free labor has the inspiration of hope; pure slavery has no hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/free-labor-has-the-inspiration-of-hope-pure-slavery-has-no-hope/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If any should be slaves, it should be first those who desire it for themselves, and secondly, those who desire it for others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/if-any-should-be-slaves-it-should-be-first-those-who-desire-it-for/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I have always thought that all men should be free; but if any should be slaves, it should be first those who desire for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-have-always-thought-that-all-men-should-be-free-but-if-any-should/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-giving-freedom-to-the-slave-we-assure-freedom-to-the-free/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“Some morals tended to keep people slaves in factories, in churches and true to the State. Other morals simply made good sense. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/some-morals-tended-to-keep-people-slaves-in-factories-in-churches-and/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [Under the freest constitution ignorant people are still slaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-de-caritat-marquis-de-condorcet/under-the-freest-constitution-ignorant-people-are-still-slaves/) [Nicolas de Caritat, marquis de Condorcet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-de-caritat-marquis-de-condorcet/) > [Plenty poisoned minds of the people are ours. Slaves, from mental death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-daddy-kane/plenty-poisoned-minds-of-the-people-are-ours-slaves-from-mental-death/) [Big Daddy Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-daddy-kane/) ## 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 Arguing quotes > [I do wish you wouldn't argue with me when I'm knitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/i-do-wish-you-wouldn-t-argue-with-me-when-i-m-knitting/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [It's fine to talk about politics with people you agree with. But it is rude to argue about politics with people you disagree with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/it-s-fine-to-talk-about-politics-with-people-you-agree-with-but-it-is/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [Men are fair, and they have learned not to personalize anger - they can disagree with you and argue to the bone, but afterward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/men-are-fair-and-they-have-learned-not-to-personalize-anger-they-can/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/when-eud-monidas-heard-a-philosopher-arguing-that-only-a-wise-man-can/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Fasting is required, staying away from fighting and arguing and bombing of masjids is still going on. Hatred is still manifested between Sunni and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-farrakhan/fasting-is-required-staying-away-from-fighting-and-arguing-and/) [Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-farrakhan/) > [The problem for the Left, however, is that the moment it stops painting the Right as vile, it has to argue the issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/the-problem-for-the-left-however-is-that-the-moment-it-stops-painting/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/to-argue-with-a-person-who-has-renounced-the-use-of-reason-is-like/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [You can argue that the Terminator movies reboot their world each time they go back in time, but that doesn't negate the value of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hayter/you-can-argue-that-the-terminator-movies-reboot-their-world-each-time/) [David Hayter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hayter/) > [We may argue eloquently that 'Honesty is the best Policy' - unfortunately, the moment honesty is adopted for the sake of policy it mysteriously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/we-may-argue-eloquently-that-honesty-is-the-best-policy-unfortunately/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [I'm a very serious person, but I don't take myself very seriously and I would rather laugh all day than argue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stone-cold-steve-austin/i-m-a-very-serious-person-but-i-don-t-take-myself-very-seriously-and/) [Stone Cold Steve Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stone-cold-steve-austin/) > [These eyes, tho' clear To outward view of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot, Nor to their idle orbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/these-eyes-tho-clear-to-outward-view-of-blemish-or-of-spot-bereft-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [There's crucial distinction that has to be drawn between the Shari'a, which is this hugely expansive vision of cosmic order that I've been describing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadakat-kadri/there-s-crucial-distinction-that-has-to-be-drawn-between-the-shari-a/) [Sadakat Kadri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadakat-kadri/) > [Only fools argue whether to eat meat or not. They don't understand truth nor do they meditate on it. Who can define what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guru-nanak/only-fools-argue-whether-to-eat-meat-or-not-they-don-t-understand/) [Guru Nanak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guru-nanak/) > [The surest sign that you haven't any sense is to argue with one who hasn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/the-surest-sign-that-you-haven-t-any-sense-is-to-argue-with-one-who/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) [Browse all 1,908 Arguing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arguing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "While I have often said that all men out to be free, yet I would allow those colored persons to be slaves who want to be; and next to them those white persons who argue in favor of making other people slaves. 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