Abraham Lincoln Quote Puzzle - With Malice Toward None; With Charity to All

This activity requires students to decode and interpret the famous presidential quote uttered by Abraham Lincoln.

Objective:

• Students will understand the meaning and significance of Lincoln’s quote.
• Students will explore the historical context in which Lincoln delivered his Second Inaugural Address.
• Students will reflect on the values of forgiveness, unity, and compassion in times of conflict.

Step 1 – Historical Context (10–15 minutes)

• Start the lesson with the decoding activity above
• Briefly explain that the quote is from Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, delivered in March 1865, just weeks before the Civil War ended and shortly before his assassination.
• Provide key background:
  • The Civil War had caused massive destruction and over 600,000 deaths.
  • The country was bitterly divided between North and South.
  • Many Northerners wanted harsh punishment for the South.

Step 2 – Quote Analysis (10–15 minutes)

Write the quote on the board:

“With malice toward none, with charity for all…”

Define key terms with the class:

• Malice – hatred or desire to harm
• Charity – kindness, love, or generosity

Ask students to paraphrase the quote in their own words. Example: “We should hate no one and treat everyone with kindness, even our enemies.”

Step 3 – Discussion (10 minutes)

• Why do you think Lincoln chose forgiveness over punishment?
• What risks was he taking by asking Americans to forgive?
• Can you think of other leaders in history who tried to unite divided people?

Step 4 – Writing Reflection (15–20 minutes)

Prompt: Write a short response to the following question:

“What do Lincoln’s words mean to you? Can we apply ‘with malice toward none, with charity for all’ in our world today? If so, how?”

Encourage students to think about forgiveness, kindness, and understanding in personal, school, or community conflicts.

Step 5 – Sharing & Wrap-Up (Optional, 5–10 minutes)

• Invite volunteers to share their reflections aloud.
• End with a class summary of why Lincoln’s message still matters.