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

I think it better to do right, even if we suffer in so doing, than to incur the reproach of our consciences and posterity.

The education of a man is never completed until he dies.

I like whiskey. I always did, and that is why I never drink it.

Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less.

The devil's name is dullness.

I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself.

We must expect reverses, even defeats. They are sent to teach us wisdom and prudence, to call forth greater energies, and to prevent our falling into greater disasters.

I tremble for my country when I hear of confidence expressed in me. I know too well my weakness, that our only hope is in God.

In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.

Let the tent be struck.

Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character.

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.

My chief concern is to try to be an humble, earnest Christian.

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.

It is good that war is so horrible, or we might grow to like it.

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.

It is well that war is so terrible. We should grow too fond of it.

What a cruel thing war is... to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors.

The war... was an unnecessary condition of affairs, and might have been avoided if forebearance and wisdom had been practiced on both sides.

A true man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others.

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

This war is not about slavery.

Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or to keep one.

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.

Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.

We failed, but in the good providence of God apparent failure often proves a blessing.

Whiskey - I like it, I always did, and that is the reason I never use it.

A Union that can only be maintained by swords and bayonets has no charm for me. If the Union is dissolved and government disrupted, I shall return to my native state and share the miseries of my people, and save in defense will draw my sword on none.

Do your duty in all things, like the old Puritan. You cannot do more; you should never wish to do less.

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 I have never seen the day when I did not pray for them.

If you have any fault to find with anyone, tell him, not others, of what you complain; there is no more dangerous experiment than that of undertaking to be one thing before a man's face and another behind his back.

In this enlightened age, there are few I believe, but what will acknowledge, that slavery as an institution is a moral & political evil in any country. It is useless to expatiate on its disadvantages.

It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it.

Say just what you mean to do on every occasion, and take it for granted you mean to do right.

We should live, act, and say nothing to the injury of anyone. It is not only best as a matter of principle, but it is the path to peace and honor.

While we see the course of the final abolition of human slavery is onward, & we give it the aid of our prayers & all justifiable means in our power, we must leave the progress as well as the result in his hands who sees the end; who chooses to work by slow influences; & with whom two thousand years are but as a single day.

You must study to be frank with the world: Frankness is the child of honesty and courage.

My experience through life has convinced me that, while moderation and temperance in all things are commendable and beneficial, abstinence from spirituous liquors is the best safeguard of morals and health.

It is easier to make our wishes conform to our means than to make our means conform to our wishes.

It is good that war is so horrible or we might grow to like it.

In all my perplexities and distresses the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.

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.

The dominant party cannot reign forever and truth and justice will prevail at last.

Duty is the sublimest word in the language you can never do more than your duty you shall never wish to do less.

We have only one rule here to act like a gentleman at all times.

A TRUE MAN OF HONOR FEELS HUMBLED HIMSELF WHEN HE CANNOT HELP HUMBLING OTHERS.

You cannot be a true man until you learn to obey.

True patriotism sometimes requires of men to act exactly contrary, at one period, to that which it does at another, and the motive which impels them the desire to do right is precisely the same.