“If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it.”

1850s, The House Divided speech (1858)
Context: If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it. We are now far into the fifth year, since a policy was initiated, with the avowed object, and confident promise, of putting an end to slavery agitation. Under the operation of that policy, that agitation has not only, not ceased, but has constantly augmented. In my opinion, it will not cease, until a crisis shall have been reached, and passed.

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Abraham Lincoln 618
16th President of the United States 1809–1865

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