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Robert E. Lee

14 quotes

Details about Robert E. Lee's life are scarce, but their observations have traveled far and wide. The range of their thinking — from War to Wisdom — speaks to an intellectual restlessness that shows in every quote. Our collection holds 18 quotes from Robert E. Lee, each offering a different angle on War, Wisdom, God, Trust, and Strength. Among their most shared lines: "I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself."

“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

Best

All Quotes by 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

Wisdom

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

— Robert E. Lee

Strength

“This war is not about slavery.”

— Robert E. Lee

War

“It is well that war is so terrible. We should grow too fond of it.”

— Robert E. Lee

War

“Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character.”

— Robert E. Lee

Legal

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

— Robert E. Lee

Education

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

— Robert E. Lee

Failure

“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

Best

“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

God

“I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself.”

— Robert E. Lee

Trust

“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

War

“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

Good

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

— Robert E. Lee

War

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

— Robert E. Lee

War