Ulysses S. Grant quotes

Ulysses S. Grant was an American military leader and the 18th President of the United States. Renowned for his role as commanding general during the Civil War, his leadership was crucial in securing Union victory. He later focused on Reconstruction and the protection of civil rights. Here are 219 of his quotes:

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

Ulysses S. Grant

The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who have helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity.

Ulysses S. Grant

I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer.

Ulysses S. Grant

I know only two tunes: one of them is "Yankee Doodle," and the other isn't.

Ulysses S. Grant

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.

Ulysses S. Grant

Failures have been errors of judgment, not of intent.

Ulysses S. Grant

I know no method to secure the repeal of bad or obnoxious laws so effective as their stringent execution.

Ulysses S. Grant

The will of the people is the best law.

Ulysses S. Grant

Let us have peace.

Ulysses S. Grant

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

Ulysses S. Grant

The Southern rebellion was largely the outgrowth of the Mexican war. Nations, like individuals, are punished for their transgressions. We got our punishment in the most sanguinary and expensive war of modern times.

Ulysses S. Grant

It was my fortune, or misfortune, to be called to the office of Chief Executive without any previous political training.

Ulysses S. Grant

Let no guilty man escape, if it can he avoided.... No personal consideration should stand in the way of performing a public duty.

Ulysses S. Grant

You can violate the law. The banks may violate the law and be sustained in doing so. But the President of the United States cannot violate the law.

Ulysses S. Grant

Wars produce many stories of fiction, some of which are told until they are believed to be true.

Ulysses S. Grant

I don't underrate the value of military knowledge, but if men make war in slavish obedience to rules, they will fail.

Ulysses S. Grant

Generally, the officers of the army were indifferent whether the annexation was consummated or not; but not so all of them. For myself, I was bitterly opposed to the measure, and to this day, regard the war, which resulted, as one of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation. It was an instance of a republic following the bad example of European monarchies, in not considering justice in their desire to acquire additional territory.

Ulysses S. Grant

You must take it; I cannot live with anything in my possession that is not mine.

Ulysses S. Grant

I never wanted to get out of a place as much as I did to get out of the presidency.

Ulysses S. Grant

It is preposterous to suppose that the people of one generation can lay down the best and only rules of government for all who are to come after them, and under unforeseen contingencies.

Ulysses S. Grant

There is nothing more I should do to it now, and therefore I am not likely to be more ready to go than at this moment.

Ulysses S. Grant

As soon as slavery fired upon the flag it was felt, we all felt, even those who did not object to slaves, that slavery must be destroyed. We felt that it was a stain to the Union that men should be bought and sold like cattle.

Ulysses S. Grant