The blacker the clouds get the more confident you are that there is sunlight behind them.

I carp and cavil at you, but I also take off my hat to you, for you are by far the greatest of us." Lincoln's face broke into a slow smile, which made the eyes seem curiously child-like.
"I thank you, my old friend," he said.

"I don't admit I have your courage, for I haven't half of it.

But if a man feels that he is only a pipe for Omnipotence to sound through, he is not so apt to worry.
Besides, these last weeks God has been very good to me and I've been given a kind of assurance.

I know the country will grumble a bit about my ways of doing things, but will follow me in the end.