--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: None of this means of course that Robert…" description: "\"“None of this means of course that Robert E. Lee wasn't influenced by his father, or didn't inherit some of his better characteristics. Like Henry Lee,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/michael-korda-2925_civil-war_none-of-this-means-of-course-that-robert_2079359.jpg" --- # None of this means of course that Robert E. Lee wasn't… ![“None of this means of course that Robert E. Lee wasn't influenced by his father, or didn't inherit some of his better characteristics. Like Henry Lee, Robert was tall, physically strong, a born horseman and soldier, and so courageous that even his own soldiers often begged him to get back out of…” quote by Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/michael-korda-2925_civil-war_none-of-this-means-of-course-that-robert_2079359.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/michael-korda-2925_civil-war_none-of-this-means-of-course-that-robert_2079359.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/michael-korda-2925_civil-war_none-of-this-means-of-course-that-robert_2079359.jpg) > ““None of this means of course that Robert E. Lee wasn't influenced by his father, or didn't inherit some of his better characteristics. Like Henry Lee, Robert was tall, physically strong, a born horseman and soldier, and so courageous that even his own soldiers often begged him to get back out of range, in vain of course. He had his father's gift for the sudden flank attack that would throw the enemy off balance, and also his father's ability to inspire loyalty--and in Robert's case, virtual worship--in his men. On the other hand, perhaps because of Henry Lee's quarrels with Jefferson and Madison, Robert had an ingrained distrust of politics and politicians, including those of the Confederacy. But the most important trait that influenced Robert was a negative one: his father had been voluble, imprudent, fond of gossip, hot-tempered, and quick to attack anybody who offended or disagreed with him. With Henry Lee, even minor differences of opinions escalated quickly into public feuds. Robert was, or forced himself to be, exactly the opposite. He kept the firmest possible rein on his temper, he avoided personal confrontations of every kind, and he disliked arguments. These characteristics, normally thought of as virtues, became in fact Robert E. Lee's Achilles' heel, the one weak point in his otherwise admirable personality, and a dangerous flaw for a commander, perhaps even a flaw that would, in the end, prove fatal for the Confederacy. Some of the most mistaken military decisions in the short history of the Confederacy can be attributed to Lee's reluctance to confront a subordinate and have it out with him on the spot, face to face.”” [Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-korda/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Lee inherited many strengths from his father but deliberately suppressed his volatile temperament, leading to a reluctance to confront subordinates, which became a strategic weakness. **In simple terms:** Lee’s self‑control turned a virtue into a fatal flaw. Key Takeaway Recognize when avoiding conflict harms effectiveness. Themes leadership military strategy personal temperament conflict avoidance historical analysis Mood reflective critical historical Type analysis biographical leadership When to use this quote - military leadership - team management - crisis response - political negotiation - historical study Key Concepts command decision emotional regulation decision making Questions to Reflect On - How does excessive self‑control impede decisive leadership? - When is confrontation necessary for effective command? A Different Perspective His avoidance of direct confrontation may have cost the Confederacy crucial battles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civil war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-war/) [Confederacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confederacy/) [Face to face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/face-to-face/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [General lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/general-lee/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Robert-e-lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/robert-e-lee/) ## Related quotes > [My life in Greece influenced what I am. 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Like Henry Lee, Robert was tall, physically strong, a born horseman and soldier, and so courageous that even his own soldiers often begged him to get back out of range, in vain of course. He had his father's gift for the sudden flank attack that would throw the enemy off balance, and also his father's ability to inspire loyalty--and in Robert's case, virtual worship--in his men. On the other hand, perhaps because of Henry Lee's quarrels with Jefferson and Madison, Robert had an ingrained distrust of politics and politicians, including those of the Confederacy. But the most important trait that influenced Robert was a negative one: his father had been voluble, imprudent, fond of gossip, hot-tempered, and quick to attack anybody who offended or disagreed with him. With Henry Lee, even minor differences of opinions escalated quickly into public feuds. Robert was, or forced himself to be, exactly the opposite. He kept the firmest possible rein on his temper, he avoided personal confrontations of every kind, and he disliked arguments. These characteristics, normally thought of as virtues, became in fact Robert E. Lee's Achilles' heel, the one weak point in his otherwise admirable personality, and a dangerous flaw for a commander, perhaps even a flaw that would, in the end, prove fatal for the Confederacy. 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