Abraham Lincoln, Third Annual Message (December 8, 1863) http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29504

While I remain in my present position I shall not attempt to retract or modify the emancipation proclamation, nor shall I return to slavery any person who is free by the terms of that proclamation or by any of the acts of Congress.

— Abraham Lincoln on Emancipation Proclamation

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "While I remain in my present position I shall not attempt to retract or modify the emancipation proclamation, nor shall I return to slavery any person who is free by the terms of that proclamation or by any of the acts of Congress." in the context of "Abraham Lincoln, Third Annual Message (December 8, 1863) http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29504" to mean that wisdom is timeless.

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Source: Wikiquote: "Emancipation Proclamation" (Quotes about the Proclamation, L) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed February 05, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Abraham Lincoln

About Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln, a self-taught lawyer and politician, steered the United States through its most tumultuous period, the Civil War. His unwavering commitment to preserving the Union and abolishing slavery forever altered the course of American history and enshrined him as a champion of equality and justice.