Robert E. Lee quotes

Born
January 19, 1807 Stratford Hall, Virginia, U.S.

Died
October 12, 1870.

Occupation
Soldier.

Robert Edward Lee was an American general known for commanding the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War from 1862 until his surrender in 1865.

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

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

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

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

You must study to be frank with the world: Frankness is the child of honesty and courage.
– Robert E. Lee

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

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

The devil’s name is dullness.
– Robert E. Lee

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

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

It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it.
– 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

Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character.
– 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

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

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

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

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

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

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 I have never seen the day when I did not pray for them.
– 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

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

Do your duty in all things, like the old Puritan. You cannot do more; you should never wish to do less.
– Robert E. Lee

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

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

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

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

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

A Union that can only be maintained by swords and bayonets has no charm for me. If the Union is dissolved and government disrupted, I shall return to my native state and share the miseries of my people, and save in defense will draw my sword on none.
– 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

Say just what you mean to do on every occasion, and take it for granted you mean to do right.
– Robert E. Lee

Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or keep one; the man who requires you to do so is dearly purchased at a sacrifice.
– Robert E. Lee

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