---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Lincoln, who had a personal aversion to…"
description: "\"“Lincoln, who had a personal aversion to blacks and feared they could never be absorbed into a white society, wanted to see them settled somewhere out ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46a/james-a-michener-1627_lincoln_lincoln-who-had-a-personal-aversion-to-b_2292018.jpg"
---

#  Lincoln, who had a personal aversion to blacks and feared…

![“Lincoln, who had a personal aversion to blacks and feared they could never be absorbed into a white society, wanted to see them settled somewhere out of the country. He had prudently refrained from liberating those living in important border states like Kentucky and Maryland, whose governments…” quote by James A. Michener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46a/james-a-michener-1627_lincoln_lincoln-who-had-a-personal-aversion-to-b_2292018.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46a/james-a-michener-1627_lincoln_lincoln-who-had-a-personal-aversion-to-b_2292018.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46a/james-a-michener-1627_lincoln_lincoln-who-had-a-personal-aversion-to-b_2292018.jpg)

> ““Lincoln, who had a personal aversion to blacks and feared they could never be absorbed into a white society, wanted to see them settled somewhere out of the country. He had prudently refrained from liberating those living in important border states like Kentucky and Maryland, whose governments sided with the North; only slaves in states like Alabama and Louisiana were freed.””

[James A. Michener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-michener/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Lincoln’s personal biases and political calculations led him to limit emancipation to certain states, reflecting complex moral and strategic compromises.

**In simple terms:** Lincoln’s choices were shaped by prejudice and politics.

Key Takeaway

Recognize how personal bias influences policy decisions.

Themes

politics morality race leadership

Mood

thoughtful historical

Type

analytical educational

When to use this quote

- civil rights legislation
- political strategy
- historical education
- public discourse

Key Concepts

ethics historical analysis policy making

Questions to Reflect On

- What factors drive leaders to compromise on justice?
- How do personal prejudices affect public policy?

A Different Perspective

Lincoln’s actions also freed many; the narrative may oversimplify his motives.

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[Aversion Blacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aversion-blacks-5389087/) [Blacks Feared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blacks-feared-5389088/) [Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lincoln/) [Lincoln Personal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lincoln-personal-4231594/) [Slaves States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slaves-states-2196440/)

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