President Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln, 1860

"I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are created equal and free." - Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was a great man who led America through its most challenging chapter as a nation, from fracturing and dividing to being whole again, if not in spirit, at least in body. But he was also a good man for how he lived. People called him "Honest Abe." It was a well-earned nickname. Integrity is easy when little is at stake, but Lincoln held to the principle even when it cost him.

The lesson to live in such a way came from his mother. Though their time together had been short, as she passed away when he was nine, she made a profound impact. Unwavering integrity, a passion for fairness, discipline, and a deep respect for the Divine were her lessons that formed the bedrock of his character. And living in an environment on the frontier with few education options, it was his mother who taught him to read and write. "All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother - blessings on her memory," Lincoln would say.

These values became evident from the onset of his political life. In 1836, at just 27 and still young in his political career, Lincoln was offered a favor by a colonel. The colonel had come across information he claimed would damage Lincoln's political aspirations. He offered to not share the information.

Lincoln didn't take the offer. He wrote the man a letter. "Favour to me would be injustice to the public, and therefore I must beg your pardon for declining it."

Yet, for all his moral conviction, Lincoln was not without flaws. His life and career were marked by many mistakes. He doubted himself. He misjudged people. Made decisions he later regretted. He picked fights, once even finding himself challenged to a duel. It was called off when the opposing man saw how much bigger and stronger Lincoln was, as they were supposed to fight with swords.

But Lincoln would admit his failings, speaking about them honestly. That disarmed critics and endeared him to the public. And, just as importantly, he learned. He grew.

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I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end." - Abraham Lincoln