"Never wrestle with a pig—you get dirty and the pig likes it” has been said to be Lincoln-esque, but there is no record that Abraham Lincoln said anything like it. The phrase is found in political speech in 1948; the phrase has been used in Texas, but its place of origin is unknown.


Austin American-Statesman (June 7, 2007)
He was a class act with a quick — albeit deadpan — sense of humor. A sign paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln that decorated his office wall offered a humorous insight into the Davidson’s style.

“Never wrestle with a pig,” the sign advised. “You get dirty and the pig likes it.”

31 May 1948, Charleston (WV) Daily Mail, “Notes of a New York Columnist” by Walter Winchell, pg. 13, col. 5:
Some politicians were discussing hecklers. One of them said he never made reply. “Many years ago,” he explained, “my father told me never to roll in the mud with a pig. Because you both get covered with mud—and the pig likes it.”

19 November 1968, Dallas Morning News, section A, pg. 1:
Commissioner Frank Crowley said he made an attempt to stay out of the controversy Monday. “Never wrestle with a greased pig,” he explained. “You can’t win and in the second place, the pig enjoys it.”

Google Books
The American Treasury
by Clifton Fadiman
New York: Harper & Rowe
1955
Pg. 696 (CYRUS CHING):
I learned long ago never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides the pig likes it.

Google Books
The Military Quoation Book
edited by James Charlton
New York: St. Martin’s Press
2002
Pg. 95:
Never wrestle with pigs--you get dirty and they enjoy it.
CREIGHTON ABRAMS

Google Books
Never Wrestle With a Pig
by Mark H. McCormack
New York: Penguin Books
2002