Abraham Lincoln is known for many things: his leadership during the Civil War, his Emancipation Proclamation, his Gettysburg Address. But did you know that he was also a prolific jokester? That's right, our 16th president had a penchant for puns, a gift for gags, and a talent for tickling funny bones.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The Man, the Myth, the Comedian
Abraham Lincoln is known for many things: his leadership during the Civil War, his Emancipation Proclamation, his Gettysburg Address. But did you know that he was also a prolific jokester? That's right, our 16th president had a penchant for puns, a gift for gags, and a talent for tickling funny bones.
So, without further ado, here are some of the funniest quotes ever uttered by Honest Abe:
"If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?"
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."
"I can make more generals, but horses cost money."
"My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure."
"I am a slow walker, but I never walk back."
"I don't like that man. I must get to know him better."
"I will prepare and someday my chance will come."
"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have."
"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go."
"When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion."
Question and Answer Time!
Now, you may be thinking to yourself, "These quotes are hilarious, but what do they mean?" Well, fear not, dear reader, for I have prepared a handy Q&A to help you understand the wit and wisdom of Abraham Lincoln.
Q: What does Lincoln mean by "If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?"
A: Lincoln is poking fun at his own appearance, which was famously homely. He's saying that if he had another face, he'd surely choose a better one to wear.
Q: What's the deal with "My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure"?
A: Lincoln is saying that it's not the failure itself that's important, but rather how you react to it. If you're content with failure, you'll never strive to do better.
Q: "When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion." Huh?
A: Lincoln is actually riffing on a quote from the famous Unitarian minister Theodore Parker, who said, "I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one, my eye reaches but little ways; I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by the experience of sight; I can divine it by conscience. And from what I see I am sure it bends towards justice." Lincoln is saying that his religion is simply doing good and feeling good about it, rather than worrying about the arc of the moral universe.
Wrapping Up
So there you have it, folks. Abraham Lincoln, president, emancipator, orator, and jester extraordinaire. Who knew one man could be so talented? I hope you enjoyed these funny quotes as much as I did, and maybe even learned something along the way. Until next time, keep laughing!
