Top 158 Quotes & Sayings by Robert E. Lee - Page 3

My heart bleeds at the death of every one of our gallant men.

The questions which for years were in dispute between the State and General Government, and which unhappily were not decided by the dictates of reason, but referred to the decision of war, having been decided against us, it is the part of wisdom to acquiesce in the result, and of candor to recognize the fact.

You cannot be a true man until you learn to obey.

Without music, we wouldn't have an Army.

We cannot afford to be idle, and though weaker than our opponents in men and military equipments, must endeavor to harass, if we cannot destroy them.

I pray that on this day [Christmas] when only peace and good-will are preached to mankind, better thoughts may fill the hearts of our enemies and turn them to peace.

He has lost his left arm, but I my right.

I am as willing to serve now as in the beginning in any capacity and at any post where I can do good. The lower the position, the more suitable to my ability and the more agreeable to my feelings.

You see what a poor sinner I am, and how unworthy to possess what was given me; for that reason it has been taken away.

Many opportunities have been lost and hundreds of valuable lives uselessly sacrificed for want of a strict observance of discipline. Its object is to enable an army to bring promptly into action the largest possible number of its men, in good order and under the control of their officers. Its effects are visible in all military history, which records the triumphs of discipline and courage far more frequently than those of numbers and resources.

I should NOT be trading on the blood of my men.

I have never witnessed on any previous occasion such entire disregard of the usage of civilized warfare and the dictates of humanity.

Go home all you boys who fought with me and help build up the shattered fortunes of our old state

Such an executive officer the sun never shone on. I have but to show him my design, and I know that it can be done, it will be done...Straight as the needle to the pole he advanced to the execution of my purpose.

No blame can be attached to the army for its failure to accomplish what was projected by me... I alone am to blame, in perhaps expecting too much of its prowess and valor... could I have foreseen that the attack on the last day would fail, I should certainly have tried some other course... but I do not know what better course I could have pursued.

Life processes take place in an aqueous medium. All organisms are composed mostly of water, whether they dwell in the oceans, lakes, and rivers, or on the land. Because the physical and chemical properties of water are well suited to the requirements of life, it is no accident that life is a water-based phenomenon.

It is easier to make our wishes conform to our means than to make our means conform to our wishes.

Lee tells his troops. After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.

There is always hazard in military activity, but we must decide between the positive loss of inactivity and the risk of action.

Let danger never turn you aside from the pursuit of honor or the service to your country ... Know that death is inevitable and the fame of virtue is immortal

Let us go home and cultivate our virtues.

My experience through life has convinced me that, while moderation and temperance in all things are commendable and beneficial, abstinence from spirituous liquors is the best safeguard of morals and health.

For I consider the character of no man affected by a want of success, provided he has made an honest effort to succeed.

Any victory would be dear at such a price.

A man may manifest and communicate his joy, but he should conceal and smother his grief as much as possible.

All this has been my fault.

I believe I may so, looking into my own heart, and speaking as in the presence of God, that I have never know one moment of bitterness or resentment.

Whither shall I flee? To no country on earth that I know of where there is as much liberty as yet remains to me even in Virginia.

To be a good soldier, you must love the army. To be a good commander, you must be willing to order the death of the thing you love.

History teaches us hope.

General Longstreet,when once in a fight, was a most brilliant soldier; but he was the hardest man to move I had in my army.

I will attack no matter what and win the war!

There is nothing left for me to do but to go and see General Grant and I would rather die a thousand deaths.

It is glorious to see such courage in one so young.

Every student must be a gentleman.

Duty is the sublimest work in the English language.

Teach him to deny himself.

We must enlist our own snake and strike like a cobra against their vitals with an attack on Washington.