Robert E. Lee

I have been up to see the Congress and they do not seem to be able to do anything except to eat peanuts and chew tobacco, while my army is starving.

— Robert E. Lee

It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it.

— Robert E. Lee

I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself.

— Robert E. Lee

The education of a man is never completed until he dies.

— Robert E. Lee

Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character.

— Robert E. Lee

A true man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others.

— Robert E. Lee

Do your duty in all things, like the old Puritan. You cannot do more; you should never wish to do less.

— Robert E. Lee

In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.

— Robert E. Lee

I like whiskey. I always did, and that is why I never drink it.

— Robert E. Lee

We should live, act, and say nothing to the injury of anyone. It is not only best as a matter of principle, but it is the path to peace and honor.

— Robert E. Lee

I have been up to see the Congress and they do not seem to be able to do anything except to eat peanuts and chew tobacco, while my army is starving.

— Robert E. Lee

Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or to keep one.

— Robert E. Lee

A Union that can only be maintained by swords and bayonets has no charm for me. If the Union is dissolved and government disrupted, I shall return to my native state and share the miseries of my people, and save in defense will draw my sword on none.

— Robert E. Lee

While we see the course of the final abolition of human slavery is onward, & we give it the aid of our prayers & all justifiable means in our power, we must leave the progress as well as the result in his hands who sees the end; who chooses to work by slow influences; & with whom two thousand years are but as a single day.

— Robert E. Lee

I think it better to do right, even if we suffer in so doing, than to incur the reproach of our consciences and posterity.

— Robert E. Lee

My chief concern is to try to be an humble, earnest Christian.

— Robert E. Lee

You must study to be frank with the world: Frankness is the child of honesty and courage.

— Robert E. Lee

We failed, but in the good providence of God apparent failure often proves a blessing.

— Robert E. Lee

The trite saying that honesty is the best policy has met with the just criticism that honesty is not policy. The real honest man is honest from conviction of what is right, not from policy.

— Robert E. Lee

The devil's name is dullness.

— Robert E. Lee

Get correct views of life, and learn to see the world in its true light. It will enable you to live pleasantly, to do good, and, when summoned away, to leave without regret.

— Robert E. Lee

Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or to keep one.

— Robert E. Lee

I tremble for my country when I hear of confidence expressed in me. I know too well my weakness, that our only hope is in God.

— Robert E. Lee

Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character.

— Robert E. Lee

The war... was an unnecessary condition of affairs, and might have been avoided if forebearance and wisdom had been practiced on both sides.

— Robert E. Lee

I have fought against the people of the North because I believed they were seeking to wrest from the South its dearest rights. But I have never cherished toward them bitter or vindictive feelings, and I have never seen the day when I did not pray for them.

— Robert E. Lee

It is good that war is so horrible, or we might grow to like it.

— Robert E. Lee

What a cruel thing war is... to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors.

— Robert E. Lee

We must expect reverses, even defeats. They are sent to teach us wisdom and prudence, to call forth greater energies, and to prevent our falling into greater disasters.

— Robert E. Lee

Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or keep one; the man who requires you to do so is dearly purchased at a sacrifice.

— Robert E. Lee

If you have any fault to find with anyone, tell him, not others, of what you complain; there is no more dangerous experiment than that of undertaking to be one thing before a man's face and another behind his back.

— Robert E. Lee

We have fought this fight as long, and as well as we know how. We have been defeated. For us as a Christian people, there is now but one course to pursue. We must accept the situation.

— Robert E. Lee

In this enlightened age, there are few I believe, but what will acknowledge, that slavery as an institution is a moral & political evil in any country. It is useless to expatiate on its disadvantages.

— Robert E. Lee

We failed, but in the good providence of God apparent failure often proves a blessing.

— Robert E. Lee

If a friend asks a favor, you should grant it if it is reasonable; if not, tell him plainly why you cannot: You will wrong him and wrong yourself by equivocation of any kind.

— Robert E. Lee

Say just what you mean to do on every occasion, and take it for granted you mean to do right.

— Robert E. Lee

The doctrines & miracles of our Saviour have required nearly two thousand years to convert but a small part of the human race, & even among Christian nations, what gross errors still exist!

— Robert E. Lee

A Union that can only be maintained by swords and bayonets has no charm for me. If the Union is dissolved and government disrupted, I shall return to my native state and share the miseries of my people, and save in defense will draw my sword on none.

— Robert E. Lee

I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself.

— Robert E. Lee

We failed, but in the good providence of God apparent failure often proves a blessing.

— Robert E. Lee

The education of a man is never completed until he dies.

— Robert E. Lee

Get correct views of life, and learn to see the world in its true light. It will enable you to live pleasantly, to do good, and, when summoned away, to leave without regret.

— Robert E. Lee

Madam, don't bring up your sons to detest the United States government. Recollect that we form one country now. Abandon all these local animosities, and make your sons Americans.

— Robert E. Lee

We must forgive our enemies. I can truly say that not a day has passed since the war began that I have not prayed for them.

— Robert E. Lee

I cannot consent to place in the control of others one who cannot control himself.

— Robert E. Lee

Sir, if you ever presume again to speak disrespectfully of General Grant in my presence, either you or I will sever his connection with this university.

— Robert E. Lee

I have fought against the people of the North because I believed they were seeking to wrest from the South its dearest rights. But I have never cherished toward them bitter or vindictive feelings, and have never seen the day when I did not pray for them.

— Robert E. Lee

Ulysses S. Grant, you invite me to lunch then show up an hour late drunk?

— Robert E. Lee

Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character.

— Robert E. Lee

After it is all over, as stupid a fellow as I am can see that mistakes were made. I notice, however, that my mistakes are never told me until it is too late, and you, and all my officers, know that I am always ready and anxious to have their suggestions.

— Robert E. Lee

I tremble for my country when I hear of confidence expressed in me. I know too well my weakness, that our only hope is in God.

— Robert E. Lee

Teach him he must deny himself.

— Robert E. Lee

I should NOT be trading on the blood of my men.

— Robert E. Lee

The education of a man is never completed until he dies.

— Robert E. Lee

You must be frank with the world; frankness is the child of honesty and courage. Say just what you mean to do on every occasion, and take it for granted you mean to do right … Never do anything wrong to make a friend or keep one; the man who requires you to do so, is dearly purchased at a sacrifice. Deal kindly, but firmly with all your classmates; you will find it the policy which wears best. Above all do not appear to others what you are not.

— Robert E. Lee

The Abolitionist... must see that he has neither the right or power of operating except by moral means and suasion.

— Robert E. Lee

You see what a poor sinner I am, and how unworthy to possess what was given me; for that reason, it has been taken away.

— Robert E. Lee

It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it.

— Robert E. Lee

I have been up to see the Congress and they do not seem to be able to do anything except to eat peanuts and chew tobacco, while my army is starving.

— Robert E. Lee

The questions which for years were in dispute between the State and General Government, and which unhappily were not decided by the dictates of reason, but referred to the decision of war, having been decided against us, it is the part of wisdom to acquiesce in the result, and of candor to recognize the fact.

— Robert E. Lee

True patriotism sometimes requires of men to act exactly contrary, at one period, to that which it does at another, and the motive which impels them — the desire to do right — is precisely the same.

— Robert E. Lee

I think it would be better for Virginia if she could get rid of them. That is no new opinion with me. I have always thought so, and have always been in favor of emancipation - gradual emancipation.

— Robert E. Lee

I am of the opinion that all who can should vote for the most intelligent, honest, and conscientious men eligible to office, irrespective of former party opinions, who will endeavour to make the new constitutions and the laws passed under them as beneficial as possible to the true interests, prosperity, and liberty of all classes and conditions of the people.

— Robert E. Lee

My engagements will not permit me to be present, and I believe if there I could not add anything material to the information existing on the subject. I think it wiser, moreover, not to keep open the sores of war, but to follow the example of those nations who endeavored to obliterate the marks of civil strife, and to commit to oblivion the feelings it engendered.

— Robert E. Lee

My experience through life has convinced me that, while moderation and temperance in all things are commendable and beneficial, abstinence from spirituous liquors is the best safeguard of morals and health.

— Robert E. Lee

Honesty in its widest sense is always admirable. The trite saying that 'honesty is the best policy' has met with the just criticism that honesty is not policy. The seems to be true. The real honest man is honest from conviction of what is right, not from policy.

— Robert E. Lee

Those who oppose our purposes are not always to be regarded as our enemies. We usually think and act from our immediate surroundings. The better rule is to judge our adversaries from their standpoint, not from ours.

— Robert E. Lee

So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I have rejoiced that slavery is abolished. I believe it will be great for the interests of the south. So fully am I satisfied with this, as regards Virginia especially, that I would cheerfully have lost all I have lost by the war, and have suffered all I have suffered, to have this object attained.

— Robert E. Lee

In this enlightened age, there are few I believe, but what will acknowledge, that slavery as an institution is a moral & political evil in any country. It is useless to expatiate on its disadvantages.

— Robert E. Lee

Get correct views of life, and learn to see the world in its true light. It will enable you to live pleasantly, to do good, and, when summoned away, to leave without regret.

— Robert E. Lee

We failed, but in the good providence of God apparent failure often proves a blessing.

— Robert E. Lee