A biography for Robert E. Leehasn’t been written yet.
“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.”
“Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or keep one; the man who requires you to do so is dearly purchased at a sacrifice.”
“The doctrines & miracles of our Saviour have required nearly two thousand years to convert but a small part of the human race, & even among Christian nations, what gross errors still exist!”
“You must study to be frank with the world: Frankness is the child of honesty and courage.”
“I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself.”
“In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.”
“It is good that war is so horrible, or we might grow to like it.”
“Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or to keep one.”
“I like whiskey. I always did, and that is why I never drink it.”
“The devil's name is dullness.”
“My chief concern is to try to be an humble, earnest Christian.”
“We failed, but in the good providence of God apparent failure often proves a blessing.”
“Do your duty in all things, like the old Puritan. You cannot do more; you should never wish to do less.”
“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.”
“It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it.”
“A true man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others.”
“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.”