Robert E.Lee Quotes & Sayings

I did only what my duty demanded. I could have taken no other course without dishonor. — Robert E.Lee

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

If we do not do this our churches will lighthouses without light, wells without water, dumb witnesses, sleeping watchmen, silent trumpets, messengers without tidings, a comfort for infidels, jubilant joys to the devil, and an offense to God. — Robert E.Lee

I consider the proper education of our youths one of the most important objects now to be attained and one from which the greatest benefits may be expected. — Robert E.Lee

Without music, we wouldn't have an Army. — Robert E.Lee

Postal officials say that before Christmas they receive tons of letters written to Santa Claus, but after Christmas how few letters of thanks are sent to him! From childhood onward, human beings seem to be characterized by thanklessness. — Robert E.Lee

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

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

We have only one rule here - to act like a gentleman at all times. — 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

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

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

You have only always to do what is right. It will become easier by practice, and you enjoy in the midst of your trials the pleasure of an approving conscience. — Robert E.Lee

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

It is good that war is terrible. Or else we would become too fond of it. — Robert E.Lee

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

It is well that war is so terrible. We should grow too fond of it. — 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

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

I will attack no matter what and win the war! — Robert E.Lee

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

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

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

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

What a glorious world Almighty God has given us. How thankless and ungrateful we are, and how we labor to mar his gifts. — Robert E.Lee

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

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

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

Lee assess a subordinate commander as all lion; no fox. — Robert E.Lee

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

We must ... submit ourselves in adversity to the will of a merciful God as cheerfully as in prosperity. — Robert E.Lee

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

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

A land without memories is a people without liberty. — Robert E.Lee

With all my devotion to the Union, and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relative, my children, my home. I have, therefore, resigned my commission in the Army ... — 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

He has lost his left arm, but I my right. — Robert E.Lee

All motion is relative. Perhaps it is you who have moved away-by standing still — Robert E.Lee

Let us go home and cultivate our virtues. — Robert E.Lee

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

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

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

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

We have but one rule here, and that is that every student must be a gentleman. — Robert E.Lee

Cadets can neither be treated as schoolboys or soldiers. — Robert E.Lee

You cannot barter manhood for peace. — Robert E.Lee

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

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

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

Life processes take place in an aqueous medium. All organisms are composed mostly of water, whether they dwell in the oceans, lakes, and rivers, or on the land. Because the physical and chemical properties of water are well suited to the requirements of life, it is no accident that life is a water-based phenomenon. — Robert E.Lee

No blame can be attached to the army for its failure to accomplish what was projected by me ... I alone am to blame, in perhaps expecting too much of its prowess and valor ... could I have foreseen that the attack on the last day would fail, I should certainly have tried some other course ... but I do not know what better course I could have pursued. — Robert E.Lee

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

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

We all thought Richmond, protected as it was by our splendid fortifications and defended by our army of veterans, could not be taken. Yet Grant turned his face to our Capital, and never turned it away until we had surrendered. Now, I have carefully searched the military records of both ancient and modern history, and have never found Grant's superior as a general. I doubt that his superior can be found in all history. — Robert E.Lee

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

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

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

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

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

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

The time is not come for impartial history. If the truth were told just now, it would not be credited. — Robert E.Lee

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

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

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

It is glorious to see such courage in one so young. — 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 made a great mistake in the beginning of our struggle, and I fear, in spite of all we can do, it will prove to be a fatal mistake. We appointed all our worst generals to command our armies, and all our best generals to edit the newspapers — Robert E.Lee

My chief concern is to try to be an humble, earnest Christian. — Robert E.Lee

The devil's name is dullness. — Robert E.Lee

I am A man, not a sponge! If god wished a sponge to think, A SPONGE WOULD THINK! — Robert E.Lee

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

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

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

The enemy is here, and if we do not whip him, he will whip us. — 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

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

Duty is the sublimest work in the English language. — Robert E.Lee

I am now considered such a monster, that I hesitate to darken with my shadow, the doors of those I love, lest I should bring upon them misfortune. — Robert E.Lee

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

Every student must be a gentleman. — 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

I endeavored to give thanks to our Heavenly Father for all his mercies to me, for his preservation of me through all the dangers I have passed, and all the blessings which he has bestowed upon me, for I know I fall far short of my obligations — Robert E.Lee

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

Traveller is my only companion ... He and I ... wander out in the mountains and enjoy sweet confidence. — Robert E.Lee

Read history, works of truth, not novels and romances — Robert E.Lee

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

I pray that on this day [Christmas] when only peace and good-will are preached to mankind, better thoughts may fill the hearts of our enemies and turn them to peace. — Robert E.Lee

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

Respect is based on Friendship,and friendship is based on love and love is so accidental isn't it ? — 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

History teaches us hope. — Robert E.Lee

For I consider the character of no man affected by a want of success, provided he has made an honest effort to succeed. — Robert E.Lee

I believe it to be the duty of everyone to unite in the restoration of the country and the reestablishment of peace and harmony. — Robert E.Lee

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

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

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

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

My trust is in the mercy and wisdom of a kind Providence, who ordereth all things for our good. — 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

Keep steady in the view of the great principles for which you contend. The safety of your homes and the lives of all you hold dear depend upon your courage and exertions. Let each man resolve to be victorious, and that the right of self government, liberty and peace shall find him a defender. — Robert E.Lee