--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: { When Abraham Lincoln was 26 years old…" description: "\"“{ When Abraham Lincoln was 26 years old in 1835, he wrote a defense of Thomas Paine 's deism; a political associate, Samuel Hill, burned it to save Li..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfd/roy-basler-103934_abraham-lincoln_when-abraham-lincoln-was-26-years-old-in_2174598.jpg" --- # { When Abraham Lincoln was 26 years old in 1835, he wrote… ![“{ When Abraham Lincoln was 26 years old in 1835, he wrote a defense of Thomas Paine 's deism; a political associate, Samuel Hill, burned it to save Lincoln 's political career. Historian Roy Basler, the editor of Lincoln 's papers, said Paine had a strong influence on Lincoln 's style: } No other…” quote by Roy Basler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfd/roy-basler-103934_abraham-lincoln_when-abraham-lincoln-was-26-years-old-in_2174598.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfd/roy-basler-103934_abraham-lincoln_when-abraham-lincoln-was-26-years-old-in_2174598.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfd/roy-basler-103934_abraham-lincoln_when-abraham-lincoln-was-26-years-old-in_2174598.jpg) > ““{ When Abraham Lincoln was 26 years old in 1835, he wrote a defense of Thomas Paine 's deism; a political associate, Samuel Hill, burned it to save Lincoln 's political career. Historian Roy Basler, the editor of Lincoln 's papers, said Paine had a strong influence on Lincoln 's style: } No other writer of the eighteenth century, with the exception of Jefferson , parallels more closely the temper or gist of Lincoln 's later thought. In style, Paine above all others affords the variety of eloquence which, chastened and adapted to Lincoln 's own mood, is revealed in Lincoln 's formal writings.”” Roy Basler ## 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 political thought was shaped by Paine’s deism and Jefferson’s style, blending eloquence with personal mood. **In simple terms:** Paine and Jefferson shaped Lincoln. Key Takeaway Study influential thinkers. Themes history politics philosophy influence writing Mood analytical historical Type Abraham lincoln:1 Deism:1 Eloquence:1 Influence:1 Jefferson:1 Lincoln:1 Paine:1 Thomas jefferson:0 Thomas-paine:0 Writing:1 Influence Lincoln:0 Paine Deism:0 Lincoln Style:1 Editor Lincoln:0 When to use this quote - public policy - historical research - education Key Concepts deism political philosophy literary style Questions to Reflect On - How did Paine’s deism affect Lincoln’s policies? - In what ways does Jefferson’s style appear in Lincoln’s speeches? A Different Perspective Modern readers may overlook historical context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Deism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deism/) [Eloquence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eloquence/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Thomas-paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thomas-paine/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“ The primary leaders of the so-called founding fathers of our nation were not Bible-believing Christians; they were deists . Deism was a philosophical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farrell-till/the-primary-leaders-of-the-so-called-founding-fathers-of-our-nation/) Farrell Till > [“ Tom Paine has almost no influence on present-day thinking in the United States because he is unknown to the average citizen. 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Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-ingersoll/) > [“In editing a volume of Washington 's private letters for the Long Island Historical Society, I have been much impressed by indications that this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moncure-d-conway/in-editing-a-volume-of-washington-s-private-letters-for-the-long/) [Moncure D. Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moncure-d-conway/) > [“Without the pen of Paine , the sword of Washington would have been wielded in vain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/without-the-pen-of-paine-the-sword-of-washington-would-have-been/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [I have been lately introduced to the famous Thomas Paine, and like him very well. 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My father had a set of Tom Paine 's books on the shelf at home.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/i-have-always-been-interested-in-this-man-my-father-had-a-set-of-tom/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [“The matter on which I judge people is their willingness, or ability, to handle contradiction. 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Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-caro/) > [My movies more often are told through pictures, not words. 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