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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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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
Duty
Principles
Force
Voluntarily
Young
Thereby
Character
Principle
Men
Develop
Characters
General

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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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You cannot barter manhood for peace.
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The consolidation of the states into one vast empire, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of ruin which has overwhelmed all that preceded it.
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We must...submit ourselves in adversity to the will of a merciful God as cheerfully as in prosperity.
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A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday does not know where it is today.
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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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There is nothing left for me to do but to go and see General Grant and I would rather die a thousand deaths.
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Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or to keep one.
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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.
Robert E. Lee
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The education of a man is never completed until he dies.
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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.
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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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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.
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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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Let us go home and cultivate our virtues.
Robert E. Lee
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There is scarcely anything that is right that we cannot hope to accomplish by labor and perseverance. But the first must be earnest and the second unremitting.
Robert E. Lee
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The dominant party cannot reign forever, and truth and justice will prevail at last.
Robert E. Lee
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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.
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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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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