Robert E. Lee
I am of the opinion that all who can should vote for the most intelligent, honest, and conscientious men eligible to office, irrespective of former party opinions, who will endeavour to make the new constitutions and the laws passed under them as beneficial as possible to the true interests, prosperity, and liberty of all classes and conditions of the people.Collection: Party
My experiences of men has neither disposed me to think worse of them nor be indisposed to serve them: nor, in spite of failures which I lament, of errors which I now see and acknowledge, or the present aspect of affairs, do I despair of the future. The truth is this: The march of Providence is so slow and our desires so impatient; the work of progress so immense and our means of aiding it so feeble; the life of humanity is so long, that of the individual so brief, that we often see only the ebb of the advancing wave and are thus discouraged. It is history that teaches us to hope.Collection: Mean
So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I am rejoiced that slavery is abolished.Collection: War
I should NOT be trading on the blood of my men.Collection: Men
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.Collection: Taken
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.Collection: Military
Without music, we wouldn't have an Army.Collection: Army
Teach him to deny himself.Collection: War
I will attack no matter what and win the war!Collection: War
A man may manifest and communicate his joy, but he should conceal and smother his grief as much as possible.Collection: Grief
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.Collection: Courage
For I consider the character of no man affected by a want of success, provided he has made an honest effort to succeed.Collection: Character
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.Collection: War
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.Collection: War
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.Collection: War
It is glorious to see such courage in one so young.Collection: War
We must enlist our own snake and strike like a cobra against their vitals with an attack on Washington.Collection: War
I have never witnessed on any previous occasion such entire disregard of the usage of civilized warfare and the dictates of humanity.Collection: War
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.Collection: Rain
Any victory would be dear at such a price.Collection: War
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.Collection: War
Duty is the sublimest work in the English language.Collection: Language
Every student must be a gentleman.Collection: Gentleman
The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He cannot only forgive, he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which impart sufficient strength to let the past be but the past. A true man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others.Collection: Character
What a beautiful world God, in His loving kindness to His creatures, has given us! What a shame that men endowed with reason and knowledge of right should mar His gifts.Collection: Beautiful
Postal officials say that before Christmas they receive tons of letters written to Santa Claus, but after Christmas how few letters of thanks are sent to him! From childhood onward, human beings seem to be characterized by thanklessness.Collection: Gratitude
We must forgive our enemies. I can truly say that not a day has passed since the war began that I have not prayed for them.Collection: War
Why, it appears that we appointed all of our worst generals to command the armies and we appointed all of our best generals to edit the newspapers. I mean, I found by reading a newspaper that these editor generals saw all of the defects plainly from the start but didn't tell me until it was too late. I'm willing to yield my place to these best generals and I'll do my best for the cause by editing a newspaper.Collection: Reading
Live in the world you inhabit. Look upon things as they are. Take them as you find them. Make the best of them. Turn them to your advantage.Collection: War
We poor sinners need to come back from our wanderings to seek pardon through the all-sufficient merits of our Redeemer. And we need to pray earnestly for the power of the Holy Spirit to give us a precious revival in our hearts and among the unconverted.Collection: Heart
You must study to be frank with the world: frankness is the child of honesty and courage. Say just what you mean to do on every occasion, and take it for granted that you mean to do right.Collection: Children
Marry...into a family that will enable your children to feel proud of both sides of the house.Collection: Marriage
Everyone should do all in his power to collect and disseminate the truth, in the hope that it may find a place in history and descend to posterity. History is not the relation of campaigns and battles and generals or other individuals, but that which shows the principles for which the South contended and which justified her struggle for those principles.Collection: Struggle
I did only what my duty demanded. I could have taken no other course without dishonor.Collection: War
The real honest man is honest from conviction of what is right, not from policy.Collection: Real
Keep steady in the view of the great principles for which you contend. The safety of your homes and the lives of all you hold dear depend upon your courage and exertions. Let each man resolve to be victorious, and that the right of self government, liberty and peace shall find him a defender.Collection: War
There is a true glory and a true honor: the glory of duty done--the honor of the integrity of principle.Collection: Integrity
You cannot barter manhood for peace.Collection: War
We have only one rule here - to act like a gentleman at all times.Collection: Gentleman
I have thought from the time of the cessation of the hostilities, that silence and patience on the part of the South was the true course; and I think so still. Controversy of all kinds will, in my opinion, only serve to continue excitement and passion, and will prevent the public mind from the acknowledgement and acceptance of the truth.Collection: War
Ideas are easy to conceive, less easy to execute.Collection: Ideas
I consider the proper education of our youths one of the most important objects now to be attained and one from which the greatest benefits may be expected.Collection: Important
It's the loneliest feeling in the world-to find yourself standing up when everybody else is sitting down. To have everybody look at you and say, 'What's the matter with him?' I know. I know what it feels like. Walking down an empty street, listening to the sound of your own footsteps. Shutters closed, blinds drawn, doors locked against you. And you aren't sure whether you're walking toward something, or if you're just walking away.Collection: Walking Away
A Union that can only be maintained by swords and bayonets, and in which strife and civil war are to take the place of brotherly love and kindness, has no charm for me.Collection: Love
Act with a determination not to be turned aside by thoughts of the past and fears of the future.Collection: Perseverance
Abandon your animosities and make your sons Americans!Collection: 4th Of July
No day should be lived unless it was begun with a prayer of thankfulness and an intercession for guidance.Collection: Prayer
You must be careful how you walk and where you go, for there are those following you who will set their feet where yours are set.Collection: Feet
The dominant party cannot reign forever, and truth and justice will prevail at last.Collection: War