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The trite saying that 'honesty is the best policy' has met with the just criticism that honesty is not policy. The seems to be true. The real honest man is honest from conviction of what is right, not from policy.

Robert E. Lee

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Robert E. Lee
Age: 63 †
Born: 1807
Born: January 19
Died: 1870
Died: October 12
Military Officer
Slaveholder
Robert Edward Lee
General Lee
General R. E. Lee
General Robert E. Lee
Robert E.
General Lee
Robert E Lee
R. E. Lee
Gen. Robert Edward Lee
Men
Policy
Honest
Saying
Trite
True
Corny
Seems
Conviction
Best
Honesty
Right
Mets
Real
Criticism

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I was too weak to defend, so I attacked
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Duty, then is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more you should never wish to do less.
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We have but one rule here, and that is that every student must be a gentleman.
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I like whiskey. I always did, and that is why I never drink it.
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Traveler is my only companion I may also say my pleasure. He and I, whenever practicable, wander out in the mountains and enjoy sweet confidence.
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My trust is in the mercy and wisdom of a kind Providence, who ordereth all things for our good.
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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.
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There are things in the Old Book which I may not be able to explain, but I fully accept it as the infallible Word of God, and receive its teachings as inspired by the Holy Spirit.
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So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I am rejoiced that Slavery is abolished. I believe it will be greatly for the interest of the South. So fully am I satisfied of this that I would have cheerfully lost all that I have lost by the war, and have suffered all that I have suffered to have this object attained.
Robert E. Lee
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Every student must be a gentleman.
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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.
Robert E. Lee
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Our country demands all our strength, all our energies. To resist the powerful combination now forming against us will require every man at his place. If victorious, we will have everything to hope for in the future. If defeated, nothing will be left for us to live for.
Robert E. Lee
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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
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Alabama soldiers, all I ask of you is to keep up with the Texans!
Robert E. Lee
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I would rather die a thousand deaths than surrender.
Robert E. Lee
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History teaches us hope.
Robert E. Lee
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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.
Robert E. Lee
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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.
Robert E. Lee
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The education of a man is never completed until he dies.
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If we do not do this our churches will lighthouses without light, wells without water, dumb witnesses, sleeping watchmen, silent trumpets, messengers without tidings, a comfort for infidels, jubilant joys to the devil, and an offense to God.
Robert E. Lee