“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it.”
- February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865
- American
- Politician, lawyer
- As the 16th President of the United States, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation and led the Civil War to maintain the unity of the nation.
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Quote
“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it.”
Explanation
In this quote, Abraham Lincoln asserts a fundamental moral principle: that those who deny freedom to others, such as in the case of slavery, forfeit their own claim to it. Lincoln is making a moral argument about the universality of freedom—that justice requires that liberty should be extended to all people, and when one group denies this right to another, they undermine the very foundation of their own freedom. He also invokes the idea of divine justice, suggesting that under the rule of a just God, those who act unjustly toward others will ultimately face consequences, and their freedom or privilege will not last. This statement reflects Lincoln’s belief in the moral necessity of abolishing slavery and his conviction that slavery was not only a political and economic issue, but a profound moral wrong that could not be sustained forever.
Historically, this quote reflects Lincoln’s steadfast commitment to emancipation and the abolition of slavery, particularly in the context of the Civil War. Lincoln saw slavery as a moral stain on the nation, one that threatened the Republic’s ideals of equality and justice. He understood that the nation’s future could not be secure while it perpetuated an institution that violated the principles on which it was founded. His belief in a just God suggests that moral reckoning was inevitable—slavery would eventually be abolished, and those who upheld it would lose their own freedom, either morally or through the eventual success of the abolition movement.
In modern times, this quote speaks to the enduring moral principles of justice and human rights. It serves as a warning against the denial of freedom and equality to any group, whether in terms of racial, gender, or political oppression. The idea that injustice cannot stand forever under divine or moral law continues to resonate in discussions about social justice, equality, and the fight against oppression. It calls for reflection on the ways in which societies can deny freedom—whether through policies, practices, or prejudices—and the ultimate cost of such actions, both in terms of justice and in the long-term stability of the society itself.
