Robert E. Lee famous quotes

The real honest man is honest from conviction of what is right, not from policy.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Real #Men #Honest

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

#Strength #Bible #Failure

The enemy never sees the backs of my Texans!
-- Robert E. Lee

#Enemy #Texan

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

#Men #Desire #Doe

The education of a man is never completed until he dies.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Education #Teaching #Learning

All that the South has ever desired was that the Union, as established by our forefathers, should be preserved, and that the government as originally organized should be administered in purity and truth.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Government #Unions #Purity

A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday does not know where it is today.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Yesterday #History #Liberty

I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Motivational #Inspiring #Trust

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

#War #Men #Faces

Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or to keep one.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Inspirational #Friendship #Bullying

I have fought against the people of the North because I believed they were seeking to wrest from the South 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

#Rights #People #Feelings

So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I am rejoiced that Slavery is abolished. I believe it will be greatly for the interest of the South. So fully am I satisfied of this that I would have cheerfully lost all that I have lost by the war, and have suffered all that I have suffered to have this object attained.
-- Robert E. Lee

#War #Believe #Slavery

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

#Regret #Light #Views

It's the loneliest feeling in the world-to find yourself standing up when everybody else is sitting down. To have everybody look at you and say, 'What's the matter with him?' I know. I know what it feels like. Walking down an empty street, listening to the sound of your own footsteps. Shutters closed, blinds drawn, doors locked against you. And you aren't sure whether you're walking toward something, or if you're just walking away.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Walking Away #Doors #Feelings

I like whiskey. I always did, and that is why I never drink it.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Drinking #Alcohol #Whiskey

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

#War #Connections #Speak

A true man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Life And Love #Men #Civil War

I should NOT be trading on the blood of my men.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Men #Blood #Should

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

#War #Enemy #Forgiving

My experiences of men has neither disposed me to think worse of them nor be indisposed to serve them: nor, in spite of failures which I lament, of errors which I now see and acknowledge, or the present aspect of affairs, do I despair of the future. The truth is this: The march of Providence is so slow and our desires so impatient; the work of progress so immense and our means of aiding it so feeble; the life of humanity is so long, that of the individual so brief, that we often see only the ebb of the advancing wave and are thus discouraged. It is history that teaches us to hope.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Mean #Men #Thinking

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

#Prayer #Mean #Hands

Act with a determination not to be turned aside by thoughts of the past and fears of the future.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Perseverance #Determination #Past

Go home all you boys who fought with me and help build up the shattered fortunes of our old state
-- Robert E. Lee

#Home #Boys #Helping

My heart bleeds at the death of every one of our gallant men.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Sympathy #Heart #Men

There are few, I believe, in this enlightened age, who will not acknowledge that slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Believe #Evil #Political

It is history that teaches us to hope.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Hopeful #Teach

Alabama soldiers, all I ask of you is to keep up with the Texans!
-- Robert E. Lee

#War #Soldier #Alabama

What a beautiful world God, in His loving kindness to His creatures, has given us! What a shame that men endowed with reason and knowledge of right should mar His gifts....
-- Robert E. Lee

#Beautiful #Kindness #War

There is a terrible war coming, and these young men who have never seen war cannot wait for it to happen, but I tell you, I wish that I owned every slave in the South, for I would free them all to avoid this war.
-- Robert E. Lee

#War #Men #Waiting

A Union that can only be maintained by swords and bayonets, and in which strife and civil war are to take the place of brotherly love and kindness, has no charm for me.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Love #Kindness #War

You must study to 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 that you mean to do right.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Children #Honesty #Mean

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

#War #Army #Aggravation

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

#Thinking #Suffering #Conscience

Duty, then is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more; you should never wish to do less.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Gratitude #Wish #Language

Our country demands all our strength, all our energies. To resist the powerful combination now forming against us will require every man at his place. If victorious, we will have everything to hope for in the future. If defeated, nothing will be left for us to live for.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Country #Powerful #Men

There is a true glory and a true honor: the glory of duty done--the honor of the integrity of principle.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Integrity #Honor #Done

You must be careful how you walk and where you go, for there are those following you who will set their feet where yours are set.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Feet #Be Careful #Walks

The biggest mistake of my life was taking a military education.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Military #Mistake #Cynical

It is easier to make our wishes conform to our means than to make our means conform to our wishes.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Mean #Expectations #Wish

You cannot be a true man until you learn to obey.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Men #True Man

What a cruel thing is war: to separate and destroy families and friends, and mar the purest joys and happiness God has granted us in this world; to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors, and to devastate the fair face of this beautiful world.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Beautiful #Peace #War

It is well that war is so terrible. We should grow too fond of it.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Memorial Day #Peace #War

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

#Honesty #Real #Men

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

#Fall #Energy #Defeat

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

#Peace #War #Two Sides

Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Wedding #Character #Civil War

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

#Failure #Blessing #Civil War

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

#Life #Hope #Country

We cannot afford to be idle, and though weaker than our opponents in men and military equipments, must endeavor to harass, if we cannot destroy them.
-- Robert E. Lee

#War #Military #Men

Death, in its silent sure march is fast gathering those whom I have longest loved, so that when he shall knock at my door, I will more willingly follow.
-- Robert E. Lee

#War #Doors #Gathering

I have never witnessed on any previous occasion such entire disregard of the usage of civilized warfare and the dictates of humanity.
-- Robert E. Lee

#War #Humanity #Usage

All I ever wanted was a Virginia farm, no end of cream and fresh butter and fried chicken - not one fried chicken, or two, but unlimited fried chicken.
-- Robert E. Lee

#War #Virginia #Two

Whither shall I flee? To no country on earth that I know of where there is as much liberty as yet remains to me even in Virginia.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Country #War #Virginia

General Longstreet,when once in a fight, was a most brilliant soldier; but he was the hardest man to move I had in my army.
-- Robert E. Lee

#War #Moving #Army

Such an executive officer the sun never shone on. I have but to show him my design, and I know that it can be done, it will be done...Straight as the needle to the pole he advanced to the execution of my purpose.
-- Robert E. Lee

#War #Design #Purpose

Remember, we are all one country now. Dismiss from your mind all sectional feeling, and bring them up to be Americans.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Country #War #Feelings

...the framers of our Constitution never exhausted so much labor, wisdom and forbearance in its formation if it was intended to be broken up by every member.
-- Robert E. Lee

#War #Broken #Constitution

I am as willing to serve now as in the beginning in any capacity and at any post where I can do good. The lower the position, the more suitable to my ability and the more agreeable to my feelings.
-- Robert E. Lee

#War #Feelings #Capacity

Respect is based on Friendship,and friendship is based on love and love is so accidental isn't it ?
-- Robert E. Lee

#Love Is #Lost Friendship #And Love

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

#Party #Intelligent #Men

We must look to the rising generation for the restoration of the country.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Country #War #Restoration

Let us pray for ourselves, that we may not lose the word “concern” out of our Christian vocabulary. Let us pray for our nation. Let us pray for those who have never known Jesus Christ and redeeming love, for moral forces everywhere, for our national leaders. Let prayer be our passion. Let prayer be our practice.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Christian #Jesus #Prayer

To be a good soldier, you must love the army. To be a good commander, you must be willing to order the death of the thing you love.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Army #Order #Soldier

History teaches us hope.
-- Robert E. Lee

#History #Teach

Live in the world you inhabit. Look upon things as they are. Take them as you find them. Make the best of them. Turn them to your advantage.
-- Robert E. Lee

#World #Looks #Look Up

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

#War #Years #Government

There is nothing left for me to do but to go and see General Grant and I would rather die a thousand deaths.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Surrender #General Grant #Grants

All military history records the triumphs of discipline and courage far more frequently than numbers and resources.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Military #Numbers #Discipline

The consolidation of the states into one vast empire, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of ruin which has overwhelmed all that preceded it.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Home #Empires #Ruins

They do not know what they say. If it came to a conflict of arms, the war will last at least four years. Northern politicians will not appreciate the determination and pluck of the South, and Southern politicians do not appreciate the numbers, resources, and patient perseverance of the North. Both sides forget that we are all Americans. I foresee that our country will pass through a terrible ordeal, a necessary expiation, perhaps, for our national sins.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Country #Perseverance #Determination

Marry...into a family that will enable your children to feel proud of both sides of the house.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Marriage #Children #House

Everyone should do all in his power to collect and disseminate the truth, in the hope that it may find a place in history and descend to posterity. History is not the relation of campaigns and battles and generals or other individuals, but that which shows the principles for which the South contended and which justified her struggle for those principles.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Struggle #Battle #Campaigns

Ideas are easy to conceive, less easy to execute.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Ideas #Easy

But what a cruel thing is war to separate and destroy families and friends.
-- Robert E. Lee

#War #Family And Friends #Separation

We must enlist our own snake and strike like a cobra against their vitals with an attack on Washington.
-- Robert E. Lee

#War #Snakes #History

Lee tells his troops. After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Courage #Army #Virginia

I believe I may so, looking into my own heart, and speaking as in the presence of God, that I have never know one moment of bitterness or resentment.
-- Robert E. Lee

#War #Believe #Heart

Why, it appears that we appointed all of our worst generals to command the armies and we appointed all of our best generals to edit the newspapers. I mean, I found by reading a newspaper that these editor generals saw all of the defects plainly from the start but didn't tell me until it was too late. I'm willing to yield my place to these best generals and I'll do my best for the cause by editing a newspaper.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Reading #Mean #Army

It is glorious to see such courage in one so young.
-- Robert E. Lee

#War #Civil War #Young

Abandon your animosities and make your sons Americans!
-- Robert E. Lee

#4th Of July #Son #Abandon

Life Insurance trusts I consider sacred. To hazard the property of the dead & to lose the scanty earnings of fathers & husbands, who have toiled & saved that they may leave something to their families deprived of their care & the support of their labour, is to my mind the worst of crimes.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Husband #Father #Support

Wisdom is nothing more than healed pain.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Pain #Healed

We poor sinners need to come back from our wanderings to seek pardon through the all-sufficient merits of our Redeemer. And we need to pray earnestly for the power of the Holy Spirit to give us a precious revival in our hearts and among the unconverted.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Heart #Giving #Needs

I would rather die a thousand deaths than surrender.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Surrender #Thousand

Shake off those gloomy feelings. Drive them away. Fix your mind and pleasures upon what is before you.All is bright if you will think it so. All is happy if you will make it so. Do not dream. It is too ideal, too imaginary. Dreaming by day, I mean. Live in the world you inhabit. Look upon things as they are. Take them as you find them. Make the best of them. Turn them to your advantage.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Dream #Mean #Thinking

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

#Taken #Reason #Poor

A man may manifest and communicate his joy, but he should conceal and smother his grief as much as possible.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Grief #Men #Joy

There is scarcely anything that is right that we cannot hope to accomplish by labor and perseverance. But the first must be earnest and the second unremitting.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Perseverance #Firsts #Accomplish

Private and public life are subject to the same rules-truth and manliness are two qualities that will carry you through this world much better than policy or tact of expediency or other words that were devised to conceal a deviation from a straight line.
-- Robert E. Lee

#Men #Two #Quality