Quotes by Robert E. Lee

The devils name is Dullness.

We have fought this fight as long and as well as we know how. We have been defeated ... there is now but one course to pursue. We must accept the situation.

It is well that war is so terrible - we would grow too fond of it.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.