"If I should do so now it occurs that he places himself somewhat upon the ground of the parable of the lost sheep which went astray upon the mountains, and when the owner of the hundred sheep found the one that was lost and threw it upon his shoulders, and came home rejoicing, it was said that there was more rejoicing over the one sheep that was lost and had been found than over the ninety and nine in the fold. The application is made by the Saviour in this parable thus: Verily I say unto you, there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner that repenteth than over ninety and nine just persons that need no repentance.' Repentance before forgiveness is a provision of the Christian system, and on that condition alone will the Republicans grant his forgiveness."
React to this quote
More by Abraham Lincoln
See allResonant Thoughts
"The respondents in this case insist that a difficult question of public policy must be taken from the reach of the voters, and thus removed from the realm of public discussion, dialogue, and debate in…"
Explore Further
Related Quotes
"I'll just have them change the entry in the demonology textbook from 'almost extinct' to 'not extinct enoug…"
— Cassandra Clare"Men, as an organization, are getting more women than any other group working anywhere in the world today! W…"
— Jerry Seinfeld"We cannot expect that everyone, to use the phrase of a decade ago, will "talk sense to the American people"…"
— John F. Kennedy"Indeed, even this last moment will be recognized like the rest, at least, be just beginning to be so."
— Charles Sanders Peirce"One can conclude that certain essential, or fundamental, rights should exist in any just society. It does n…"
— Anthony Kennedy"I want to talk about what matters to the Delaware voters. I want to talk about how we're gonna get jobs. I'…"
— Christine O'Donnell