Quote#War
My engagements will not permit me to be present, and I believe if…
Quote byRobert E. Lee · 1807–1870
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Letter regarding war monuments (1869), as quoted in Personal reminiscences, anecdotes, and letters of gen. Robert E. Lee (1874), by John William Jones, p. 234. Also quoted in "Renounce the battle flag: Don't whitewash history" (26 June 2015), by Petula Dvorak, The Washington Post, Washington, D.C. T.
English (original)
My engagements will not permit me to be present, and I believe if there I could not add anything material to the information existing on the subject. I think it wiser, moreover, not to keep open the sores of war, but to follow the example of those nations who endeavored to obliterate the marks of civil strife, and to commit to oblivion the feelings it engendered.
— Robert E. Lee
More from Robert E. Lee
A true man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others.
I cannot consent to place in the control of others one who cannot control himself.
The forbearing use of power does not only form a touchstone, but the manner in which an individual enjoys certain advantages over others is a test of a true gentleman.
Sir, if you ever presume again to speak disrespectfully of General Grant in my presence, either you or I will sever his connection with this university.
We must forgive our enemies. I can truly say that not a day has passed since the war began that I have not prayed for them.
I have fought against the people of the North because I believed they were seeking to wrest from the South its dearest rights. But I have never cherished toward them bitter or vindictive feelings, and have never seen the day when I did not …