caleb weber

The possibility that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.– Abraham Lincoln
This quote is powerful due to a variety of reasons. The first half of the sentence has a very negative connotation. The words fail and struggle lead us to believe this. As the sentence moves along, its feelings of negativity transition over to a more positive feeling. The phrase “ought not deter us” tells us that we must go on. We can’t give up when the times are bad. Eventually we will prevail. When Mr. Lincoln says “we believe to be just” it is powerful due to the fact that he wants us to stand up and voice our opinion. If we believe in something then go after it and protect it. The word just also makes me think of something good. If someone is referred to as being a just man, it’s a good thing.