A few Robert E. Lee Quotes

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.

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.

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 have everything to hope for in the future. If defeated, nothing will be left for us to live for. My whole trust is in God, and I am ready for whatever He may ordain.

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.

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

Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less.

Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Let the tent be struck.

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

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

Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character.

The devil's name is dullness.

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

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.

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

This war is not about slavery.

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

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.

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.

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