Grant Ulysses Quotes & Sayings

It will be all right if it turns out all right. — Ulysses S. Grant

Political novice Ulysses S. Grant was the first of six Union veterans to become president, five of whom were born in Ohio. The 23rd Ohio Infantry Regiment alone produced Maj. Gen. Rutherford B. Hayes and Maj. William McKinley. Former Brig. Gen. Benjamin Harrison defeated Grover Cleveland in 1888 partly because — Thomas R. Flagel

I know no method to secure the repeal of bad or obnoxious laws so effective as their stringent execution. — Ulysses S. Grant

It is possible that the question of a conflict between races may come up in the future, as did that between freedom and slavery before. The condition of the colored man within our borders may become a source of anxiety, to say the least. But he was brought to our shores by compulsion, and he now should be considered as having as good a right to remain here as any other class of our citizens. — Ulysses S. Grant

Once initiated there were but few public men who would have the courage to oppose it. Experience proves that the man who obstructs a war in which his nation is engaged, no matter whether right or wrong, occupies no enviable place in life or history. Better for him, individually, to advocate "war, pestilence, and famine," than to act as obstructionist to a war already begun. — Ulysses S. Grant

If men make war in slavish observance of rules, they will fail. No rules will apply to conditions of war as different as those which exist in Europe and America ... War is progressive, because all the instruments and elements of war are progressive. — Ulysses S. Grant

The theory of government changes with general progress. — Ulysses S. Grant

My failures have been errors in judgment, not of intent. — Ulysses S. Grant

Wherever the enemy goes let our troops go also. — Ulysses S. Grant

A year or so earlier I had been to the Sky River Rock Festival in rural Washington, where a dosen stone-broke freaks from Seattle Liberation Front had assembled a sound system that carried every small note of an acoustic guitar - even a cough or the sound of a boot drooping on the stage - to half-deaf acid victims huddled under bushes a half mile away.
But the best technicians available to the National DAs' convention in Vegas apparently couldn't handle it. Their sound system looked like something Ulysses S. Grant might have triggered up to addres his troops during the Siege of Vicksburg. The voices from up front crackled with a fuzzy, high-pitched urgency, and the delay was just enough to keep the words disconcertingly out of phaze with the speaker's gestures. (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, p. 73) — Hunter S. Thompson

As time passes, people, even of the South, will begin to wonder how it was possible that their ancestors ever fought for or justified institutions which acknowledged the right of property in man. — Ulysses S. Grant

The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who have helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity. — Ulysses S. Grant

A military life had no charms for me, and I had not the faintest idea of staying in the army even if I should be graduated, which I did not expect, — Ulysses S. Grant

Our great modern Republic. May those who seek the blessings of its institutions and the protection of its flag remember the obligations they impose. — Ulysses S. Grant

Village, and it was a long time before I heard the last of it. Boys enjoy the misery of their companions, at least village boys in that day did, and in later life I have found that all adults are not free from the peculiarity. — Ulysses S. Grant

I desire the good-will of all, whether hitherto my friends or not. — Ulysses S. Grant

Anything is better than indecision. We must decide. If I am wrong, we shall soon find out and can do the other thing. But not to decide wastes both time and money and may ruin everything. — Ulysses S. Grant

Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts, and practice them in your lives. — Ulysses S. Grant

The colored man has been accustomed all his life to lean on the white man, and if a good officer is placed over him, he will learn readily and make a good soldier. — Ulysses S. Grant

Retreat? NO. I propose to attach at daylight and whip them. — Ulysses S. Grant

Mr. Beckwith, it is not possible for me to believe that God sees any true love as evil, no matter what the words of man might tell you. Hate is the only truly evil thing in the world. Second only to it false love, followed by its twin, hypocrisy. If your love was true, then it was blessed. — Ulysses Grant Dietz

To maintain peace in the future it is necessary to be prepared for war. — Ulysses S. Grant

The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can, and keep moving on. — Ulysses S. Grant

I thought how little interest the men before me had in the results of the war, and how little knowledge they had of "what it was all about. — Ulysses S. Grant

The long-continued and useful public service and eminent purity of character of the deceased ex-President will be remembered. — Ulysses S. Grant

Being a nerd, which is to say going to far and caring too much about a subject, is the best way to make friends I know. For me, the spark that turns an acquaintance into a friend has usually been kindled by some shared enthusiasm like detective novels or Ulysses S. Grant. — Sarah Vowell

The line between the Rebel and Union element in Georgetown was so marked that it led to divisions even in the churches. There were churches in that part of Ohio where treason was preached regularly, and where, to secure membership, hostility to the government, to the war and to the liberation of the slaves, was far more essential than a belief in the authenticity or credibility of the Bible. There were men in Georgetown who filled all the requirements for membership in these churches. — Ulysses S. Grant

Let us have peace. — Ulysses S. Grant

There are many men who would have done better than I did under the circumstances in which I found myself. If I had never held command, if I had fallen, there were 10,000 behind who would have followed the contest to the end and never surrendered the Union. — Ulysses S. Grant

The problem for us was to move forward to a decisive victory, or our cause was lost. — Ulysses S. Grant

But my later experience has taught me two lessons: first, that things are seen plainer after the events have occurred; second, that the most confident critics are generally those who know the least about the matter criticised. — Ulysses S. Grant

His presence soon restored confidence. — Ulysses S. Grant

Ah, you know my weaknesses
my children and my horses. — Ulysses S. Grant

No other terms than unconditional and immediate surrender. I propose to move immediately upon your works. — Ulysses S. Grant

The darkest day of my life was the day I heard of Lincoln's assassination. I did not know what it meant. Here was the rebellion put down in the field, and starting up in the gutters... — Ulysses S. Grant

Hold fast to the Bible. To the influence of this Book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization and to this we must look as our guide in the future. — Ulysses S. Grant

Although a soldier by profession, I have never felt any sort of fondness for war, and I have never advocated it, except as a means of peace. — Ulysses S. Grant

George Washington, Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Ulysses Grant, Rutherford Hayes, James Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, Theodore Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower all rode their wartime heroics into the White House. — Jeff Greenfield

I suppose this work is part of the devil that is in us all. — Ulysses S. Grant

One of my superstitions had always been when I started to go anywhere or do anything, not to turn back, or stop until the thing intended was accomplished. I have frequently started to go places where I had never been and to which I did not know the way, depending upon making inquiries on the road, and if I got past the place without knowing it, instead of turning back, I would go until a road was found turning in the right direction, take that, and come in by the other side. — Ulysses S. Grant

I never was an Abolitionest, not even what could be called anti slavery, but I try to judge farely and honestly and it become patent to my mind early in the rebellion that the North and South could never live at peace with each other except as one nation, and that without Slavery. — Ulysses S. Grant

I would suggest the taxation of all property equally, whether church or corporation, exempting only the last resting place of the dead and possibly, with proper restrictions, church edifices. — Ulysses S. Grant

Abraham Lincoln went through 12 generals before he got Ulysses S. Grant. He had never done a Civil War before. — Marianne Williamson

he had sixty thousand as good soldiers as ever trod the earth; better than any European soldiers, because they not only worked like a machine but the machine thought. European armies know very little what they are fighting for, and care less. — Ulysses S. Grant

Correspondents of the press were ever on hand to hear every word dropped, and were not always disposed to report correctly what did not confirm their preconceived notions, either about the conduct of the war or the individuals concerned in it. — Ulysses S. Grant

If men make war in slavish obedience to rules, they will fail. — Ulysses S. Grant

The United States, knowing no distinction of her own citizens on account of religion or nationality, naturally believes in a civilization the world over which will secure the same universal laws. — Ulysses S. Grant

England and the United States are natural allies, and should be the best of friends. — Ulysses S. Grant

Someday, if we won, if humanity survived, we'd be in the history books. Me and Jake and Rachel and Cassie and Tobias and Ax. They'd be household names, like generals from World War II or the Civil War. Patton and Eisenhower, Ulysses Grant and Robert E. Lee. Kids would study us in school. Bored, probably.
And then the teacher would tell the story of Marco. I'd be a part of history. What I was about to do. Some kid would laugh. Some kid would say, "Cold, man. That was really cold."
I had to do it, kid. It was a war. It's the whole point, you stupid, smug, smirking little jerk! Don't you get it?
It was the whole point. We hurt the innocent in order to stop the evil. Innocent Hork-Bajir. Innocent Taxxons. Innocent human-Controllers. How else to stop the Yeerks? How else to win?
No choice, you punk. We did what we had to do.
"Cold, man. The Marco dude? He was just cold. — Katherine Applegate

I read the book [My Life by Bill Clinton] completely. And I think it compares very favorably with Ulysses S. Grant's gold standard of presidential autobiographies. — Dan Rather

I knew the enemy were ready to break and only wanted a little encouragement from us to go quickly and join their friends who had started earlier. — Ulysses S. Grant

The Northern press, as a whole, did not discourage these claims; a portion of it always magnified rebel success and belittled ours, while another portion, most sincerely earnest in their desire for the preservation of the Union and the overwhelming success of the Federal armies, would nevertheless generally express dissatisfaction with whatever victories were gained because they — Ulysses S. Grant

Everyone has his superstitions. One of mine has always been when I started to go anywhere, accomplished. — Ulysses S. Grant

There are but two parties now: traitors and patriots. And I want hereafter to be ranked with the latter and, I trust, the stronger party. — Ulysses S. Grant

There never was a time when, in my opinion, some way could not be found to prevent the drawing of the sword. — Ulysses S. Grant

The right of revolution is an inherent one. When people are oppressed by their government, it is a natural right they enjoy to relieve themselves of oppression, if they are strong enough, whether by withdrawal from it, or by overthrowing it and substituting a government more acceptable. — Ulysses S. Grant

I will not move my army without onions. — Ulysses S. Grant

God gave us Lincoln and Liberty, let us fight for both. — Ulysses S. Grant

The most confident critics are generally those who know the least about the matter criticized. — Ulysses S. Grant

The Southern rebellion was largely the outgrowth of the Mexican war. Nations, like individuals, are punished for their transgressions. We got our punishment in the most sanguinary and expensive war of modern times. — Ulysses S. Grant

I gave up all idea of saving the Union except by complete conquest. Up to that time it had been the policy of our army, certainly of that portion commanded by me, to protect the property of the citizens whose territory was invaded, without regard to their sentiments, whether Union or Secession. — Ulysses S. Grant

But the Nation had already become restless and discouraged at the prolongation of the war, and many believed that it would never terminate except by compromise. — Ulysses S. Grant

I have never advocated war except as a mean of peace — Ulysses S. Grant

I felt that 15,000 men on the 8th would be more effective than 50,000 a month later. — Ulysses S. Grant

There is nothing more I should do to it now, and therefore I am not likely to be more ready to go than at this moment. — Ulysses S. Grant

The fact is I think I am a verb instead of a personal pronoun. A verb is anything that signifies to be; to do; or to suffer. I signify all three. — Ulysses S. Grant

Quit thinking about what Bobby Lee's gonna do to us and start thinking about what we're going to do to him. — Ulysses S. Grant

The war was not won by any single individual, be it Abraham Lincoln or Ulysses S. Grant. The Union, as a whole, triumphed. The national army, fielding over two million men in toto, led by legions of staff, company, field, and general officers; a correspondingly potent navy; and a far more powerful economy than its adversary were all needed to ultimately subdue the Confederacy. — Joseph A. Rose

Oh, I am heartily tired of hearing about what Lee is going to do. Some of you always seem to think he is suddenly going to turn a double somersault, and land in our rear and on both of our flanks at the same time. Go back to your command, and try to think what are we going to do ourselves, instead of what Lee is going to do. — Ulysses S. Grant

Leave the matter of religion to the family altar the church and the private school supported entirely by private contributions. Keep the church and state forever separate. — Ulysses S. Grant

It does look like a very good exercise. But what is the little white ball for? — Ulysses S. Grant

I will raid the arsenal and start a war to end slavery. — Ulysses S. Grant

My judgment now is that he was vacillating and undecided in his actions. — Ulysses S. Grant

I know only two tunes. One of them is 'Yankee Doodle' the other isn't. — Ulysses S. Grant

While a battle is raging one can see his enemy mowed down by the thousand, or the ten thousand, with great composure; but after the battle these scenes are distressing, and one is naturally disposed to do as much to alleviate the suffering of an enemy as a friend. — Ulysses S. Grant

My family is American, and has been for generations, in all its branches, direct and collateral — Ulysses S. Grant

Whatever there is of greatness in the United States, or indeed in any other country, is due to labor. The laborer is the author of all greatness and wealth. Without labor there would be no government, no leading class, and nothing to preserve. — Ulysses S. Grant

I never heard him abuse an enemy. Some of the cruel things said about President Lincoln, particularly in the North, used to pierce him to the heart; but never in my presence did he evince a revengeful disposition. — Ulysses S. Grant

I read the story and reread the story, but I still could not find the universality that the little Irishman had spoken of. All I saw in the story was some Irishmen meeting in a room and talking politics. What had that to do with America, especially with my people? It was not until years later that I saw what he meant ... I began to listen, to listen closely to how they talked about their heroes, to how they talked about the dead and how great the dead had once been. I heard it everywhere. — Ulysses S. Grant

The will of the people is the best law. — Ulysses S. Grant

There's no easy way to say this, so I'€ll just say it: We're no longer No. 1. Today, we're No. 2. Yes, it's official. The Chinese economy just overtook the United States economy to become the largest in the world. For the first time since Ulysses S. Grant was president, America is not the leading economic power on the planet. — Stephen F. Hayes

Cheap cigars come in handy; they stifle the odor of cheap politicians. — Ulysses S. Grant

In 1856 ... I preferred the success of a candidate whose election would prevent or postpone secession, to seeing the country plunged into a war the end of which no man could foretell. With a Democrat elected by the unanimous vote of the Slave States, there could be no pretext for secession for four years ... I therefore voted for James Buchanan as President. — Ulysses S. Grant

Not far away lay the big cannons that had held Ulysses Grant at bay for fifty siege days while the citizens of the town ate rat flesh and clung to their long-cherished beliefs. How many had died in that lost cause? Dr. Tarver wondered. Fifty thousand casualties at Gettysburg alone, and for what? To free the slaves who built this house? To preserve the Union? Had Stonewall Jackson died to create a nation of couch potatoes ignorant of their own history and incapable of simple mathematics? If those brave soldiers in blue and gray had seen what lay in the future, they would have laid down their muskets and walked home to their farms. — Greg Iles

I only knew what was in my mind, and I wished to express it clearly — Ulysses S. Grant

The one thing I never want to see again is a military parade. When I resigned from the army and went to a farm I was happy. When the rebellion came, I returned to the service because it was a duty. I had no thought of rank; all I did was try and make. — Ulysses S. Grant

The enemy had been much demoralized by his defeats at Champion's Hill and the Big Black, and I believed he would not make much effort to hold Vicksburg. — Ulysses S. Grant

It was my fortune, or misfortune, to be called to the office of Chief Executive without any previous political training. — Ulysses S. Grant

Lee's army will be your objective point. Wherever Lee goes, there you will go also. — Ulysses S. Grant

I have made it a rule of my life to trust a man long after other people gave him up, but I don't see how I can ever trust any human being again. — Ulysses S. Grant

THE CAUSE of the great War of the Rebellion against the United Status will have to be attributed to slavery. For some years before the war began it was a trite saying among some politicians that "A state half slave and half free cannot exist." All must become slave or all free, or the state will go down. I took no part myself in any such view of the case at the time, but since the war is over, reviewing the whole question, I have come to the conclusion that the saying is quite true. — Ulysses S. Grant

On several occasions during the war he came to the relief of the Union army by means of his SUPERIOR MILITARY GENIUS. — Ulysses S. Grant

Let no guilty man escape, if it can he avoided ... No personal consideration should stand in the way of performing a public duty. — Ulysses S. Grant

Declare Church and State forever separate and distinct, but each free within their proper spheres, and that all church property shall bear its own proportion of taxation. — Ulysses S. Grant

All suburban housing developments look alike, and besides, every Yankee who ever crossed the Potomac except Ulysses S. Grant got lost as soon as he reached the Virginia side. — Charles McCarry

But for a soldier his duty is plain. He is to obey the orders of all those placed over him and whip the enemy wherever he meets him. — Ulysses S. Grant

All secret oath-bound political parties are dangerous to any nation, no matter how pure or how patriotic the motives and principles which first bring them together. — Ulysses S. Grant

It is preposterous to suppose that the people of one generation can lay down the best and only rules of government for all who are to come after them, and under unforeseen contingencies. — Ulysses S. Grant

In every battle there comes a time when both sides consider themselves beaten then he who continues the attack wins. — Ulysses S. Grant

When I first went on deck I entered the captain's room adjoining the pilot-house, and threw myself on a sofa. I did not keep that position a moment, but rose to go out on the deck to observe what was going on. I had scarcely left when a musket ball entered the room, struck the head of the sofa, passed through it and lodged in the foot. — Ulysses S. Grant