The right of revolution is an inherent one. When people are oppressed by their government, it is a natural right they enjoy to relieve themselves of the oppression, if they are strong enough, whether by withdrawal from it, or by overthrowing it and substituting a government more acceptable.
~ in Personal Memoirs, vol. 1
I never learned to swear. When a boy I seemed to have an aversion to it, and when I became a man I saw th folly of it. I have always noticed, too, that swearing helps to rouse a man’s anger; and when a man flies into a passion his adversary who keeps cool always gets the better of him. In fact, i could never see the use of swearing. I think it is the case with many people who swear excessively that they do not mean to be profane; but, to say the least, it is a great waste of time.
~ quoted in Cigars, Whiskey, and Winning Leadership Lessons, p. 9
This is a very suggestive age. Some people think that an army can be whipped by waiting for rivers to freeze over, exploding powder at a distance, drowning out troops, or setting them to sneezing; but it will always be found in the end that the only way to whip an army is to go out and fight it.
~ quoted in Cigars, Whiskey, and Winning Leadership Lessons
I know no method to secure the repeal of bad or obnoxious laws so effective as their stringent execution.
~ in Grant’s First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1869,
Hold fast to the Bible. To the influence of this Book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization and to this we must look as our guide in the future.
Although a soldier by profession, I have never felt any sort of fondness for war, and I have never advocated it, except as a means of peace.
I know only two tunes: one of them is “Yankee Doodle,” and the other isn’t.
~ quoted by Shelby Foote in The Civil War
In every battle there comes a time when both sides consider themselves beaten, then he who continues the attack wins.
Labor disgraces no man, but occasionally men disgrace labor.
Leave the matter of religion to the family altar, the church, and the private school, supported entirely by private contributions. Keep the church and state forever separate.
The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can, and keep moving on.
There never was a time when, in my opinion, some way could not be found to prevent the drawing of the sword.
It has been my misfortune to be engaged in more battles than any other general on the other side of the Atlantic; but there was never a time during my command when I would not have chosen some settlement by reason rather than the sword.
