Lincoln did not burn with a desire to wield power, but his keen sense of responsibility led him to perform his duties conscientiously, onerous though he found them to be. He said of the presidency: “It is a big job; the country little knows how big,” and told an Illinois friend: “This getting the nomination for President, and being elected, is all very pleasant to a man’s ambition; but to be the President, and to meet the responsibilities and discharge the duties of the office in times like these is anything but pleasant. I would gladly if I could, take my neck from the yoke, and go home with you to Springfield, and live, as I used [to], in peace with my friends, [rather] than to endure this harassing kind of life.”
Source: Abraham Lincoln ∶ A Life ▫𓂃
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