--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Many opportunities have been lost and…" description: "\"Many opportunities have been lost and hundreds of valuable lives uselessly sacrificed for want of a strict observance of discipline. Its object is to e..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccc/robert-e-lee-2368_discipline_many-opportunities-have-been-lost-and-hu_2519685.jpg" --- # Many opportunities have been lost and hundreds of valuable… ![“Many opportunities have been lost and hundreds of valuable lives uselessly sacrificed for want of a strict observance of discipline. Its object is to enable an army to bring promptly into action the largest possible number of its men, in good order and under the control of their officers. Its…” quote by Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccc/robert-e-lee-2368_discipline_many-opportunities-have-been-lost-and-hu_2519685.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccc/robert-e-lee-2368_discipline_many-opportunities-have-been-lost-and-hu_2519685.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccc/robert-e-lee-2368_discipline_many-opportunities-have-been-lost-and-hu_2519685.jpg) > “Many opportunities have been lost and hundreds of valuable lives uselessly sacrificed for want of a strict observance of discipline. Its object is to enable an army to bring promptly into action the largest possible number of its men, in good order and under the control of their officers. Its effects are visible in all military history, which records the triumphs of discipline and courage far more frequently than those of numbers and resources.” [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. Discipline transforms raw numbers into an effective fighting force, outweighing sheer size or resources. **In simple terms:** Discipline makes an army strong. Key Takeaway Prioritize strict discipline. Themes military leadership efficiency Mood serious determined Type strategic instructional When to use this quote - training drills - battlefield coordination - logistics planning - unit cohesion Key Concepts command structure cohesion morale Questions to Reflect On - How does discipline influence morale? - When might flexibility outweigh strict discipline? A Different Perspective Discipline alone cannot compensate for poor strategy or inadequate equipment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Military history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military-history/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Triumph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/triumph/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [These are only hints an guesses... the rest is prayer, observance, discipline, thought, and action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-s-eliot/these-are-only-hints-an-guesses-the-rest-is-prayer-observance/) [T. S. Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-s-eliot/) > [Perfect discipline requires recognition of infallibility. Infallibility requires the observance of discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-f-kennan/perfect-discipline-requires-recognition-of-infallibility/) [George F. Kennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-f-kennan/) > [“The careful observance of discipline is the mark of the artiste.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/the-careful-observance-of-discipline-is-the-mark-of-the-artiste/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [Obedience, submission, discipline, courage--these are among the characteristics which make a man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-smiles/obedience-submission-discipline-courage-these-are-among-the/) [Samuel Smiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-smiles/) > [By developing your discipline and courage, you can refuse to let other people's mood swings govern your financial destiny. In the end, how your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/by-developing-your-discipline-and-courage-you-can-refuse-to-let-other/) [Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/) > [.. we shall not be properly educated ourselves, nor will the guardians whom we are training, until we can recognise the qualities of discipline,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/we-shall-not-be-properly-educated-ourselves-nor-will-the-guardians/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis came well before the current age of AI, yet computers were in use and technology played a critical role…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-rickards/the-1962-cuban-missile-crisis-came-well-before-the-current-age-of-ai/) [James Rickards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-rickards/) > [“There had been a time when words had been the only place he could find solace. No book ever lost patience with him or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/there-had-been-a-time-when-words-had-been-the-only-place-he-could/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [In the tradition of Black Hawk Down, Malcolm MacPherson vividly brings to life this harrowing story of courage, pathos, and war at its grittiest.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-winik/in-the-tradition-of-black-hawk-down-malcolm-macpherson-vividly-brings/) [Jay Winik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-winik/) > [It's unfortunate we live in a society where "gay" is an insult. To some of these boys, who are from really red states and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-farrier/it-s-unfortunate-we-live-in-a-society-where-gay-is-an-insult-to-some/) [David Farrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-farrier/) > [“What they could tell from an imprint I could barely see was astonishing. “This one old man—short steps,” they’d say, touching the ground with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-hooper/what-they-could-tell-from-an-imprint-i-could-barely-see-was/) Jim Hooper > [“In the past few years, genetics have confirmed that the hunter-gatherers were not overwhelmed by the new wave of sedentary farmers, and that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markham-shaw-pyle/in-the-past-few-years-genetics-have-confirmed-that-the-hunter/) [Markham Shaw Pyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markham-shaw-pyle/) > [“Then, out of the blue, I had the ah ha moment of inspiration at one of our 3rd SPG reunions as I listened to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bowers/then-out-of-the-blue-i-had-the-ah-ha-moment-of-inspiration-at-one-of/) Bill Bowers > [Always mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy, if possible; and when you strike and overcome him, never let up in the pursuit so long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/always-mystify-mislead-and-surprise-the-enemy-if-possible-and-when/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) ## 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 Discipline quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“Peace requires a discipline more iron than war. - Easter, 1939 ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-j-turner/peace-requires-a-discipline-more-iron-than-war-easter-1939/) W.J. Turner > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Like a child exploring the attic of an old house on a rainy day, discovering a trunk full of treasure and then calling all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/like-a-child-exploring-the-attic-of-an-old-house-on-a-rainy-day/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [Exercise teaches you the pleasure of discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-fonda/exercise-teaches-you-the-pleasure-of-discipline/) [Jane Fonda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-fonda/) > [I'm always writing. I'm an obsessive. It's not because I'm a disciplined person. It's because I'm crazy about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanif-kureishi/i-m-always-writing-i-m-an-obsessive-it-s-not-because-i-m-a/) [Hanif Kureishi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanif-kureishi/) > [“I felt like praying or something, when I was in bed, but I couldn't do it. I can't always pray when I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/i-felt-like-praying-or-something-when-i-was-in-bed-but-i-couldn-t-do/) [J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/) > [The undisciplined child enters into discipline by working in the company of others; not being told he is naughty.” “Discipline is, therefore, primarily a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/the-undisciplined-child-enters-into-discipline-by-working-in-the/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [“Proverbs from the East: The wind howls, but the mountain remains still. Even though I make no special attempt to observe the discipline of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/proverbs-from-the-east-the-wind-howls-but-the-mountain-remains-still/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) Burne Hogarth > [Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. It require you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results. There's a season for sowing a season for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ryan-blair/self-discipline-is-an-act-of-cultivation-it-require-you-to-connect/) [Gary Ryan Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ryan-blair/) > [The individual, by means of the discipline imposed on him by sport, not only plays and finds relaxation from the various compulsions to which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/the-individual-by-means-of-the-discipline-imposed-on-him-by-sport-not/) [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) > [Cheerfulness in most cheerful people is the rich and satisfying result of strenuous discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-percy-whipple/cheerfulness-in-most-cheerful-people-is-the-rich-and-satisfying/) [Edwin Percy Whipple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-percy-whipple/) > [Stay in your seat come times of trouble. Its only people who jump off the roller coaster who get hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-harvey/stay-in-your-seat-come-times-of-trouble-its-only-people-who-jump-off/) [Paul Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-harvey/) [Browse all 5,597 Discipline quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Many opportunities have been lost and hundreds of valuable lives uselessly sacrificed for want of a strict observance of discipline. Its object is to enable an army to bring promptly into action the largest possible number of its men, in good order and under the control of their officers. Its effects are visible in all military history, which records the triumphs of discipline and courage far more frequently than those of numbers and resources.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert E. 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