Lincoln Promised His Mother Never to Use Anything Intoxicating

While a member of Congress, Abraham Lincoln was once criticized by a friend for his seeming rudeness in declining to test the rare wines provided by their host. The friend said to him: “There is certainly no danger of a man of your years and habits becoming addicted to the use of wine.” “I mean no disrespect, John,” answered Lincoln, “but I promised my precious mother only a few days before she died that I would never use anything intoxicating as a beverage, and I consider that promise as binding today as it was the day I gave it.” “But,” the friend continued, “there is a great difference between a child surrounded by a rough class of drinkers and a man in a home of refinement.” “A promise is a promise forever,” answered Lincoln, “and when made to a mother, it is doubly binding.” (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #115).