Quotes from Ulysses S. Grant

Let us have peace.

If men make war in slavish obedience to rules, they will fail.

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.

I have never advocated war except as a means of peace.

In politics I am growing indifferent - I would like it, if I could now return to my planting and books at home

I desire the good-will of all, whether hitherto my friends or not.

It does look like a very good exercise. But what is the little white ball for?

No theory of my own will ever stand in the way of my executing, in good faith, any order I may receive from those in authority over me.

I only knew what was in my mind, and I wished to express it clearly

There never was a time when, in my opinion, some way could not be found to prevent the drawing of the sword.

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 United States, knowing no distinction of her own citizens on account of religion or nationality, naturally believes in a civilization the world over which will secure the same universal laws.

Two commanders on the same field are always one too many.

If you see the President, tell him from me that whatever happens there will be no turning back.

I would suggest the taxation of all property equally, whether church or corporation, exempting only the last resting place of the dead and possibly, with proper restrictions, church edifices.

I suffer the mortification of seeing myself attacked right and left by people at home professing patriotism and love of country who never heard the whistle of a hostile bullet. I pity them and the nation dependent on such for its existence. I am thankful, however that, though such people make a great noise, the masses are not like them.

In every battle there comes a time when both sides consider themselves beaten, then he who continues the attack wins.

We're teachers, and we have a commitment." "Commitment to what-to live and die in this hellhole, when we can leave and live like other people?

Declare Church and State forever separate and distinct, but each free within their proper spheres, and that all church property shall bear its own proportion of taxation.

... anything is better than indecision. We must decide. If I am wrong, we shall soon find out and can do the other thing. But not to decide wastes both time and money and may ruin everything.

I believe that our Great Maker is preparing the world, in His own good time, to become one nation, speaking one language, and when armies and navies will be no longer required.

I have nothing to do with opinions. I deal only with armed rebellion and its aiders and abettors.

No other terms than unconditional and immediate surrender. I propose to move immediately upon your works.

All secret oath-bound political parties are dangerous to any nation, no matter how pure or how patriotic the motives and principles which first bring them together.