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

More quotes by Robert E. Lee

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I have been up to see the Congress and they do not seem to be able to do anything except to eat peanuts and chew tobacco, while my army is starving.
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I endeavored to give thanks to our Heavenly Father for all his mercies to me, for his preservation of me through all the dangers I have passed, and all the blessings which he has bestowed upon me, for I know I fall far short of my obligations
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We have fought this fight as long, and as well as we know how. We have been defeated. For us as a Christian people, there is now but one course to pursue. We must accept the situation.
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The dominant party cannot reign forever, and truth and justice will prevail at last.
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Every student must be a gentleman.
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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.
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I consider the proper education of our youths one of the most important objects now to be attained and one from which the greatest benefits may be expected.
Robert E. Lee
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I was too weak to defend, so I attacked
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It is good that war is so horrible, or we might grow to like it.
Robert E. Lee
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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.
Robert E. Lee
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There are few, I believe, in this enlightened age, who will not acknowledge that slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil.
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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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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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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.
Robert E. Lee
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Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or to keep one.
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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.
Robert E. Lee
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I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself.
Robert E. Lee
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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.
Robert E. Lee
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All that the South has ever desired was that the Union, as established by our forefathers, should be preserved, and that the government as originally organized should be administered in purity and truth.
Robert E. Lee
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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.
Robert E. Lee