Sir, if you ever presume again to speak disrespectfully of General Grant in my presence, either you or I will sever his connection with this university. Robert E. Lee More Quotes by Robert E. Lee More Quotes From Robert E. Lee The enemy is here, and if we do not whip him, he will whip us. Robert E. Lee whips war enemy Say what you mean to do...and take it for granted you mean to do right. Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or keep one...you will wrong him and wrong yourself by equivocation of any kind. Robert E. Lee kind friendship mean 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. Robert E. Lee heart may enemy 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. Robert E. Lee discipline military numbers He has lost his left arm, but I my right. Robert E. Lee arms lost war Private and public life are subject to the same rules-truth and manliness are two qualities that will carry you through this world much better than policy or tact of expediency or other words that were devised to conceal a deviation from a straight line. Robert E. Lee quality men two It is easier to make our wishes conform to our means than to make our means conform to our wishes. Robert E. Lee expectations wish mean As a general principle you should not force young men to do their duty, but let them do it voluntarily and thereby develop their characters. Robert E. Lee principles character men I endeavored to give thanks to our Heavenly Father for all his mercies to me, for his preservation of me through all the dangers I have passed, and all the blessings which he has bestowed upon me, for I know I fall far short of my obligations Robert E. Lee war father fall You cannot be a true man until you learn to obey. Robert E. Lee confederate civil-war men My chief concern is to try to be an humble, earnest Christian. Robert E. Lee civil-war humble christian Death, in its silent sure march is fast gathering those whom I have longest loved, so that when he shall knock at my door, I will more willingly follow. Robert E. Lee gathering doors war 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. Robert E. Lee poor taken reason All this has been my fault. Robert E. Lee civil-war faults war 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. Robert E. Lee civil-war moral alcohol 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. Robert E. Lee army lasts too-much 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. Robert E. Lee army soldier order The devil's name is dullness. Robert E. Lee boredom devil names There is always hazard in military activity, but we must decide between the positive loss of inactivity and the risk of action. Robert E. Lee risk military loss 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 Robert E. Lee virtue honor country
