Lincoln and Shakespeare

[RJNorton]

I wonder whether Lincoln used any of that in his orals for law cases. I don't think that would resonate as well with rural farmers, though.

In 1847, in the case of Case v. Snow Brothers, Lincoln argued for the plaintiff. During his summation to the jury Lincoln quoted these words from Othello:

Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls.
Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands;
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him,
And makes me poor indeed.

Lincoln won the case.