Here are some of the most humorous, insightful, and inspirational utterances from the Great Emancipator and Preserver of the Union.

Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties. And not to Democrats alone do I make this appeal, but to all who love these great and true principles. Speech at Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1856

Let us then turn this government back into the channel in which the framers of the Constitution originally placed it. In reply to Sen. Stephen Douglas, 1858

The people are the rightful masters of both congresses, and courts not to overthrow the constitution, but to overthrow themenwho pervert it. Notes for speeches in Kansas and Ohio, 1859

At the same time, the candid citizen must confess that if the policy of the Government upon vital questions affecting the whole people is to be irrevocably fixed by decisions of the Supreme Court, the instant they are made in ordinary litigation between parties in personal actions the people will have ceased to be their own rulers, having to that extent practically resigned their Government into the hands of that eminent tribunal. First inaugural address, 1861

My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right. During the Civil War, on the question of whether or not God was on the Unions side

I don't believe in a law to prevent a man from getting rich; it would do more harm than good. So while we do not propose any war upon capital, we do wish to allow the humblest man an equal chance to get rich with everybody else. Speech at New Haven, Connecticut, 1860

Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser -- in fees, expenses, and waste of time. As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough. Notes for a legal lecture, 1850

Never stir up litigation. A worse man can scarcely be found than one who does this. Who can be more nearly a fiend than he who habitually overhauls the register of deeds in search of defects in titles, whereon to stir up strife, and put money in his pocket? Notes for a legal lecture, 1850

..my opinion is that no state can, in any way lawfully, get out of the Union, without the consent of the others; and that it is the duty of the President, and other government functionaries to run the machine as it is. Letter to Thurlow Weed, 1860

I hold, that in contemplation of universal law, and of the Constitution, the Union of these States is perpetual. Perpetuity is implied, if not expressed, in the fundamental law of all national governments. First Inaugural Address

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations. Second inaugural address, 1865

Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new after all. Attributed

Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves, and under a just God, cannot long retain it. Letter to H.L. Pierce, 1859

Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally. Speech given in March 1865

If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong. Letter to A.G. Hodges, 1864

Our reliance is in the love of liberty which God has planted in our bosoms. Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere. Speech at Edwardsville, Illinois, 1858

Nate Madden is a Staff Writer for Conservative Review, focusing on religious freedom, jihadism, and the judiciary. He previously served as the Director of Policy Relations for the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative. A Publius Fellow, John Jay Fellow, Citadel Parliamentary Fellow and National Journalism Center alumnus, Nates writing has previously appeared in several religious and news publications. Follow him @NateMaddenCR and on Facebook.

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Happy Birthday, President Lincoln! 16 pro-Constitution, liberty-loving quotes from our 16th president - Conservative Review