Is This Abraham Lincoln?

[Steve]

That quote about about remaining silent and appearing to be a fool, rather than speaking and removing all doubt is actually attributable to Mark Twain.

I agree, Roger. Although the Internet is full of pages that attribute this to Lincoln, I have never been able to find a letter, speech, court case, conversation, etc. in which Lincoln ever said these words. It is not in the Collected Works, and I cannot find it in the Fehrenbachers' book. I own other books of authentic Lincoln quotes, and this is not in those either.

The same is true for "He who represents himself has a fool for a client" or "The lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client." Although often attributed to Lincoln, I cannot find he ever said it.

If anyone knows truly legitimate sources for either of these quotes, please post. Thank you.

The saying predates Lincoln, while I don't know it's it's earliest instance, I found this mention from 1814:

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/a-man...lient.html