The world forgets what we say. It never forgets what they did.

What it means

Lincoln knew speeches fade and deeds remain. (History proved him half wrong about his own words.) What you do outlasts what you say.

The source

"The world forgets what we say. It never forgets what they did." Abraham Lincoln said it in Gettysburg Address, 19 November 1863. Written in English: Speeches and Letters of Abraham Lincoln, 1907.

"The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."

Original English (Speeches and Letters of Abraham Lincoln, 1907), Gettysburg Address, 19 November 1863. Text read at gutenberg.org.

Who said it

Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865). Sixteenth president of the United States, who led the Union through the Civil War. His lines come from the Gettysburg Address, his inaugural addresses and his notes for young lawyers.

Questions

What does "The world forgets what we say. It never forgets what they did." mean?

Lincoln knew speeches fade and deeds remain. (History proved him half wrong about his own words.) What you do outlasts what you say.

Who said "The world forgets what we say. It never forgets what they did."?

Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865). Source: Gettysburg Address, 19 November 1863.

What is the original wording?

The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here (Original English (Speeches and Letters of Abraham Lincoln, 1907)). Written in English: Speeches and Letters of Abraham Lincoln, 1907.

Is "The world forgets what we say. It never forgets what they did." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"The world forgets what we say. It never forgets what they did." (Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, 19 November 1863, trans. Original English (Speeches and Letters of Abraham Lincoln, 1907)). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/the-world-forgets-what-we-say-it-never