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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.

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
Destroy
Military
Though
Harass
War
Weaker
Cannot
Idle
Must
Endeavor
Men
Opponents
Afford

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We made a great mistake in the beginning of our struggle, and I fear, in spite of all we can do, it will prove to be a fatal mistake. We appointed all our worst generals to command our armies, and all our best generals to edit the newspapers
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There is a true glory and a true honor: the glory of duty done--the honor of the integrity of principle.
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For I consider the character of no man affected by a want of success, provided he has made an honest effort to succeed.
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There is always hazard in military activity, but we must decide between the positive loss of inactivity and the risk of action.
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You cannot be a true man until you learn to obey.
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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.
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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.
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I did only what my duty demanded. I could have taken no other course without dishonor.
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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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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.
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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.
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The questions which for years were in dispute between the State and General Government, and which unhappily were not decided by the dictates of reason, but referred to the decision of war, having been decided against us, it is the part of wisdom to acquiesce in the result, and of candor to recognize the fact.
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The education of a man is never completed until he dies.
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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.
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