February 12: Notable Births and Deaths, with Quotes

Let’s explore notable birth and death anniversaries for February 12.

Abraham Lincoln, former U.S. president (February 12, 1809–April 15, 1865)

“Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others.” —Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln, Abraham. “Lyceum Address.” Abraham Lincoln Online, January 27, 1838, http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/lyceum.htm.

“There is no grievance that is a fit object of redress by mob law. In any case that arises, as for instance, the promulgation of abolitionism, one of two positions is necessarily true; that is, the thing is right within itself, and therefore deserves the protection of all law and all good citizens; or, it is wrong, and therefore proper to be prohibited by legal enactments; and in neither case, is the interposition of mob law, either necessary, justifiable, or excusable.” —Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln, Abraham. “Lyceum Address.” Abraham Lincoln Online, January 27, 1838, http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/lyceum.htm.

“All creation is a mine, and every man, a miner.” —Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln, Abraham. “Lecture on Discoveries and Inventions.” Abraham Lincoln Online, 1858–1859, http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/discoveries.htm.

“Man is not the only animal who labors; but he is the only one who improves his workmanship. This improvement, he effects by Discoveries, and Inventions. His first important discovery was the fact that he was naked; and his first invention was the fig-leaf-apron.” —Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln, Abraham. “Lecture on Discoveries and Inventions.” Abraham Lincoln Online, 1858–1859, http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/discoveries.htm.

Charles M. Schulz, cartoonist (November 26, 1922–February 12, 2000)

“I remember when I was a teenager, sitting in my dad’s barbershop, reading a ‘Life’ magazine article about Frank King, who used to draw ‘Gasoline Alley,’ and it said that he made $1,000 a week. And I told my dad, ‘See? That’s what I’m gonna do. I’ll have my own comic strip, and I’ll make $1,000 a week.’” —Charles M. Schulz
Roker, Al. “Charles Schulz reflects on the 50th anniversary of ‘Peanuts.’” Today, December 17, 2021, https://www.today.com/video/-a-charlie-brown-christmas-voice-actor-reflects-on-the-holiday-film-129038405967.

“I knew I wanted a little bland-faced character, and I asked my friend Charlie Brown if I could use his name, so that took care of that.” —Charles M. Schulz
Roker, Al. “Charles Schulz reflects on the 50th anniversary of ‘Peanuts.’” Today, December 17, 2021, https://www.today.com/video/-a-charlie-brown-christmas-voice-actor-reflects-on-the-holiday-film-129038405967.

“I suppose that Snoopy has showed to us what a dog needs to do to survive. In order to make his life meaningful, he goes into these fantasies.” —Charles M. Schulz
Roker, Al. “Charles Schulz reflects on the 50th anniversary of ‘Peanuts.’” Today, December 17, 2021, https://www.today.com/video/-a-charlie-brown-christmas-voice-actor-reflects-on-the-holiday-film-129038405967.

Immanuel Kant, philosopher (April 22, 1724–February 12, 1804)

“Innocence is indeed a glorious thing; only, on the other hand, it is very sad that it cannot well maintain itself and is easily seduced.” —Immanuel Kant
Kant, Immanuel. “The Project Gutenberg EBook of Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals by Immanuel Kant.” Project Gutenberg, December 10, 2018, https://www.gutenberg.org/files/5682/5682-h/5682-h.htm.

“The notion of happiness is so indefinite that although every man wishes to attain it, yet he never can say definitely and consistently what it is that he really wishes and wills.” —Immanuel Kant
Kant, Immanuel. “The Project Gutenberg EBook of Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals by Immanuel Kant.” Project Gutenberg, December 10, 2018, https://www.gutenberg.org/files/5682/5682-h/5682-h.htm.

“The idea of freedom is inseparably connected with the conception of autonomy, and this again with the universal principle of morality which is ideally the foundation of all actions of rational beings, just as the law of nature is of all phenomena.” —Immanuel Kant
Kant, Immanuel. “The Project Gutenberg EBook of Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals by Immanuel Kant.” Project Gutenberg, December 10, 2018, https://www.gutenberg.org/files/5682/5682-h/5682-h.htm.

*

Enjoy daily quotes and inspiration wherever you are! Download our Brilliant Quotes app for Apple or Android. Browse by author or category, read our quote of the day, vote for your favorite quotes, and share inspirational quotes on social media.