“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.”
And
“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.”
And
“In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.”
And
“I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself.”
And
“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.”
And
“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.”
And
“It is well that war is so terrible. We should grow too fond of it.”
And
“Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less.”
And
“I think it better to do right, even if we suffer in so doing, than to incur the reproach of our consciences and posterity.”
And
“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.”
And
“Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or to keep one.”
And
“I like whiskey. I always did, and that is why I never drink it.”
And
“What a cruel thing war is… to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors.”
And
“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.”
And
“The education of a man is never completed until he dies.”
And
“We failed, but in the good providence of God apparent failure often proves a blessing.”
And
“A true man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others.”
And
“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.”
And
“There is no more dangerous experiment than that of undertaking to be one thing before a man’s face and another behind his back.”
And
“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. I think it however a greater evil to the white man than to the black race, & while my feelings are strongly enlisted in behalf of the latter, my sympathies are more strong for the former. The blacks are immeasurably better off here than in Africa, morally, socially & physically. The painful discipline they are undergoing, is necessary for their instruction as a race, & I hope will prepare & lead them to better things. How long their subjugation may be necessary is known & ordered by a wise Merciful Providence.”
And
“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 neighbours, and to devastate the fair face of this beautiful world! I pray that, on this day when only peace and good-will are preached to mankind, better thoughts may fill the hearts of our enemies and turn them to peace. … My heart bleeds at the death of every one of our gallant men.”
And
“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.”
And
“It is good that war is so horrible, or we might grow to like it.”
And
“Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character.”
Wikipedia: Robert E. Lee
