---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: General Longstreet,when once in a fight…"
description: "\"General Longstreet,when once in a fight, was a most brilliant soldier; but he was the hardest man to move I had in my army.\" — Robert E. Lee"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/robert-e-lee-2368_army_general-longstreet-when-once-in-a-fight_2867570.png"
---

#  General Longstreet,when once in a fight, was a most…

![“General Longstreet,when once in a fight, was a most brilliant soldier; but he was the hardest man to move I had in my army.” quote by Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/robert-e-lee-2368_army_general-longstreet-when-once-in-a-fight_2867570.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/robert-e-lee-2368_army_general-longstreet-when-once-in-a-fight_2867570.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/robert-e-lee-2368_army_general-longstreet-when-once-in-a-fight_2867570.png)

> “General Longstreet,when once in a fight, was a most brilliant soldier; but he was the hardest man to move I had in my army.”

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Even the most capable individuals may resist change; leadership must navigate stubbornness to achieve goals.

**In simple terms:** Stubbornness hinders progress.

Key Takeaway

Find ways to motivate reluctant allies.

Themes

leadership resistance military strategy

Mood

analytical strategic

Type

historical military

When to use this quote

- Military campaigns
- organizational reform
- policy implementation
- social movements

Key Concepts

Change management psychology of obedience

Questions to Reflect On

- Why do some resist despite brilliance?
- How can leaders inspire movement?

A Different Perspective

May underestimate underlying reasons for resistance.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/) [Brilliant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brilliant/) [Brilliant Soldier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brilliant-soldier-3904704/) [Civil war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-war/) [Fighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting/) [General Longstreet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/general-longstreet-3904705/) [Hardest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hardest/) [Hardest Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hardest-man-1323308/) [Longstreet Fight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/longstreet-fight-3904706/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Moving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving/) [Soldier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soldier/) [Soldier Hardest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soldier-hardest-3904703/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/)

## Related quotes

> [“Beckett's probably the hardest man there is to love," Blake said. "He does life wrong for all the right reasons.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-anastasia/beckett-s-probably-the-hardest-man-there-is-to-love-blake-said-he/)

[Debra Anastasia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-anastasia/)

> [It's not the man who pushes himself the hardest... it's the man who pushes himself the hardest after it gets painful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chandler/it-s-not-the-man-who-pushes-himself-the-hardest-it-s-the-man-who/)

[Michael Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chandler/)

> [A Union that can only be maintained by swords and bayonets, and in which strife and civil war are to take the place of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/a-union-that-can-only-be-maintained-by-swords-and-bayonets-and-in/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [I can only say that I am nothing but a poor sinner, trusting in Christ alone for salvation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/i-can-only-say-that-i-am-nothing-but-a-poor-sinner-trusting-in-christ/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [It is glorious to see such courage in one so young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/it-is-glorious-to-see-such-courage-in-one-so-young/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [All this has been my fault.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/all-this-has-been-my-fault/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [What a cruel thing is war: to separate and destroy families and friends, and mar the purest joys and happiness God has granted us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/what-a-cruel-thing-is-war-to-separate-and-destroy-families-and/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [We cannot afford to be idle, and though weaker than our opponents in men and military equipments, must endeavor to harass, if we cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/we-cannot-afford-to-be-idle-and-though-weaker-than-our-opponents-in/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [My trust is in the mercy and wisdom of a kind Providence, who ordereth all things for our good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/my-trust-is-in-the-mercy-and-wisdom-of-a-kind-providence-who-ordereth/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [...the framers of our Constitution never exhausted so much labor, wisdom and forbearance in its formation if it was intended to be broken up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/the-framers-of-our-constitution-never-exhausted-so-much-labor-wisdom/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [You must study to be frank with the world: frankness is the child of honesty and courage. Say just what you mean to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/you-must-study-to-be-frank-with-the-world-frankness-is-the-child-of/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [Alabama soldiers, all I ask of you is to keep up with the Texans!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/alabama-soldiers-all-i-ask-of-you-is-to-keep-up-with-the-texans/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [“AUSTRALIA, LIKE THE UNITED STATES, experienced a different path to inclusive institutions than the one taken by England. The same revolutions that shook England…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daron-acemo-lu/australia-like-the-united-states-experienced-a-different-path-to/)

[Daron Acemoğlu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daron-acemo-lu/)

> [“Whatever happened in those more than one hundred years, from the time my great-great-great grandfather studied law to the time when my own father…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwenn-wright/whatever-happened-in-those-more-than-one-hundred-years-from-the-time/)

[Gwenn Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwenn-wright/)

> [“Time overlaps itself. A breath breathed from a passing breeze is not the whole wind, neither is it just the last of what has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-kesey/time-overlaps-itself-a-breath-breathed-from-a-passing-breeze-is-not/)

[Ken Kesey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-kesey/)

## More by Robert E. Lee

> [Live in the world you inhabit. Look upon things as they are. Take them as you find them. Make the best of them. Turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/live-in-the-world-you-inhabit-look-upon-things-as-they-are-take-them/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [Alabama soldiers, all I ask of you is to keep up with the Texans!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/alabama-soldiers-all-i-ask-of-you-is-to-keep-up-with-the-texans/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [You must study to be frank with the world: frankness is the child of honesty and courage. Say just what you mean to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/you-must-study-to-be-frank-with-the-world-frankness-is-the-child-of/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [...the framers of our Constitution never exhausted so much labor, wisdom and forbearance in its formation if it was intended to be broken up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/the-framers-of-our-constitution-never-exhausted-so-much-labor-wisdom/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [My trust is in the mercy and wisdom of a kind Providence, who ordereth all things for our good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/my-trust-is-in-the-mercy-and-wisdom-of-a-kind-providence-who-ordereth/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [All military history records the triumphs of discipline and courage far more frequently than numbers and resources.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/all-military-history-records-the-triumphs-of-discipline-and-courage/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [A true man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/a-true-man-of-honor-feels-humbled-himself-when-he-cannot-help/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [I will attack no matter what and win the war!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/i-will-attack-no-matter-what-and-win-the-war/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [A man may manifest and communicate his joy, but he should conceal and smother his grief as much as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/a-man-may-manifest-and-communicate-his-joy-but-he-should-conceal-and/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [We poor sinners need to come back from our wanderings to seek pardon through the all-sufficient merits of our Redeemer. And we need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/we-poor-sinners-need-to-come-back-from-our-wanderings-to-seek-pardon/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [Life processes take place in an aqueous medium. All organisms are composed mostly of water, whether they dwell in the oceans, lakes, and rivers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/life-processes-take-place-in-an-aqueous-medium-all-organisms-are/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [We cannot afford to be idle, and though weaker than our opponents in men and military equipments, must endeavor to harass, if we cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/we-cannot-afford-to-be-idle-and-though-weaker-than-our-opponents-in/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [We must forgive our enemies. I can truly say that not a day has passed since the war began that I have not prayed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/we-must-forgive-our-enemies-i-can-truly-say-that-not-a-day-has-passed/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [Lee tells his troops. After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/lee-tells-his-troops-after-four-years-of-arduous-service-marked-by/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/obedience-to-lawful-authority-is-the-foundation-of-manly-character/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

[Explore all 170 Robert E. Lee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

## More Army quotes

> [There are no more worlds to conquer!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/there-are-no-more-worlds-to-conquer/)

[Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/)

> [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/)

[Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/)

> [Every army in the history of the world has always had some deserters, usually much greater than we have today, because once again every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-hilferty/every-army-in-the-history-of-the-world-has-always-had-some-deserters/)

[Bryan Hilferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-hilferty/)

> [It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-our-forces-are-ten-to-the-enemy-s-one-to/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [The surprise of an army is now next to an impossibility. ... Prearranged surprises are rare and difficult because in order to plan one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-henri-jomini/the-surprise-of-an-army-is-now-next-to-an-impossibility-prearranged/)

[Antoine-Henri Jomini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-henri-jomini/)

> [I just read an article about how young American males feel uncomfortable appearing naked in front of each other in locker rooms. That was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-ivory/i-just-read-an-article-about-how-young-american-males-feel/)

[James Ivory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-ivory/)

> [ I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect \[Donald Trump\], or then-president \[Barack Obama\]. But it's - I'm very clear.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-that-by-the-president-elect/)

[James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/)

> [Holy shadows of the dead, I'm not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/holy-shadows-of-the-dead-i-m-not-to-blame-for-your-cruel-and-bitter/)

[Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/)

> [“The most important lesson that came out of Vietnam for me was that Marines take care of Marines.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-clancy/the-most-important-lesson-that-came-out-of-vietnam-for-me-was-that/)

[Tom Clancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-clancy/)

> [One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/one-of-our-great-allies-at-present-is-the-church-itself-do-not/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [I have real strong feelings about our troops and support them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-fichtner/i-have-real-strong-feelings-about-our-troops-and-support-them/)

[William Fichtner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-fichtner/)

> [Personally, I don't really have a set style or look. It's pretty much what I feel like wearing that day, from a floral-print dress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shay-mitchell/personally-i-don-t-really-have-a-set-style-or-look-it-s-pretty-much/)

[Shay Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shay-mitchell/)

> [Growing up with a parent in the army, I saw firsthand the challenges our service members face when transitioning to new jobs after time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharice-davids/growing-up-with-a-parent-in-the-army-i-saw-firsthand-the-challenges/)

[Sharice Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharice-davids/)

> [Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-prescott/don-t-fire-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes/)

[William H. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/)

> [Thanks to all members of the military around the world for giving me the ultimate motivation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalya-neidhart/thanks-to-all-members-of-the-military-around-the-world-for-giving-me/)

[Natalya Neidhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalya-neidhart/)

[Browse all 3,919 Army quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "General Longstreet,when once in a fight, was a most brilliant soldier; but he was the hardest man to move I had in my army.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Robert E. Lee"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/general-longstreet-when-once-in-a-fight-was-a-most-brilliant-soldier/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Army"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/general-longstreet-when-once-in-a-fight-was-a-most-brilliant-soldier/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/robert-e-lee-2368_army_general-longstreet-when-once-in-a-fight_2867570.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/robert-e-lee-2368_army_general-longstreet-when-once-in-a-fight_2867570.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/163/robert-e-lee-2368_army_general-longstreet-when-once-in-a-fight_2867570.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“General Longstreet,when once in a fight, was a most brilliant soldier; but he was the hardest man to move I…” — Robert E. Lee",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Robert E. Lee",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "General Longstreet,when once in a fight,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/general-longstreet-when-once-in-a-fight-was-a-most-brilliant-soldier/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/general-longstreet-when-once-in-a-fight-was-a-most-brilliant-soldier/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
