--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We must forgive our enemies. I can truly…" description: "\"We must forgive our enemies. I can truly say that not a day has passed since the war began that I have not prayed for them.\" — Robert E. Lee" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bc/robert-e-lee-2368_enemy_we-must-forgive-our-enemies-i-can-truly_212262.png" --- # We must forgive our enemies. I can truly say that not a… ![“We must forgive our enemies. I can truly say that not a day has passed since the war began that I have not prayed for them.” quote by Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bc/robert-e-lee-2368_enemy_we-must-forgive-our-enemies-i-can-truly_212262.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bc/robert-e-lee-2368_enemy_we-must-forgive-our-enemies-i-can-truly_212262.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bc/robert-e-lee-2368_enemy_we-must-forgive-our-enemies-i-can-truly_212262.png) > “We must forgive our enemies. I can truly say that not a day has passed since the war began that I have not prayed for them.” [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. He expresses ongoing forgiveness and prayer for his enemies throughout the war. **In simple terms:** Forgiveness persists despite conflict. Key Takeaway Cultivate compassion even toward adversaries. Themes forgiveness war spirituality Mood hopeful solemn Type spiritual reflective When to use this quote - conflict resolution - peacebuilding - personal healing - interfaith dialogue Key Concepts ethics psychology Questions to Reflect On - Can you pray for those you oppose? - What does forgiveness mean in wartime? A Different Perspective Forgiveness may be difficult to sustain over prolonged conflict. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Forgiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiving/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [Forgiveness is a strange thing. It can sometimes be easier to forgive our enemies than our friends. It can be hardest of all to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-rogers/forgiveness-is-a-strange-thing-it-can-sometimes-be-easier-to-forgive/) [Fred Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-rogers/) > [It is not enjoined upon us to forget, but we are told to forgive, our enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-hubbel-chapin/it-is-not-enjoined-upon-us-to-forget-but-we-are-told-to-forgive-our/) [Edwin Hubbel Chapin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-hubbel-chapin/) > [We must forgive our enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/we-must-forgive-our-enemies/) [Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/) > [When an injustice happens, we want to be vindicated. People feel that if they forgive the person who hurt them, then they will continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/when-an-injustice-happens-we-want-to-be-vindicated-people-feel-that/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [“...forgive your enemies...it messes with their heads.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/forgive-your-enemies-it-messes-with-their-heads/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) > [Forgive your enemies, but do not forget their names](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aly-johnson/forgive-your-enemies-but-do-not-forget-their-names/) [Aly Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aly-johnson/) > [We... our war began September the 3rd 1939, with the invasion of Poland by Germany, and thereafter the great state of danger in England…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-shaffer/we-our-war-began-september-the-3rd-1939-with-the-invasion-of-poland/) [Peter Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-shaffer/) > [“How many remember where they were when the war began on the 1st of September 1939? I remember. I should remember. I started it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-delacy/how-many-remember-where-they-were-when-the-war-began-on-the-1st-of/) Daniel DeLacy > [From the moment this war began, there was, for this state, only one policy possible, neutrality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eamon-de-valera/from-the-moment-this-war-began-there-was-for-this-state-only-one/) [Eamon de Valera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eamon-de-valera/) > [The Iran-Iraq war began the same year that I went to primary school, at the age of six.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hassan-blasim/the-iran-iraq-war-began-the-same-year-that-i-went-to-primary-school/) [Hassan Blasim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hassan-blasim/) > [The Cold War began with the division of Europe. It can only end when Europe is whole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-h-w-bush/the-cold-war-began-with-the-division-of-europe-it-can-only-end-when/) [George H. W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-h-w-bush/) > [Since this war began our sympathy has gone out to all the suffering people who have been dragged into it. Further hundreds of millions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eamon-de-valera/since-this-war-began-our-sympathy-has-gone-out-to-all-the-suffering/) [Eamon de Valera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eamon-de-valera/) > [The First World War began because one man was shot. The Second World War began because of a mad German dictator. Who knows how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-lauder/the-first-world-war-began-because-one-man-was-shot-the-second-world/) [Ronald Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-lauder/) > [In early 1993, when I was 12, I was separated from my family as the Sierra Leone civil war, which began two years earlier,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ishmael-beah/in-early-1993-when-i-was-12-i-was-separated-from-my-family-as-the/) [Ishmael Beah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ishmael-beah/) > [“restaurant, nicknamed "The Municipal Crib" for the number of city officials who dallied there. Margaritte and the owner of Marchand's, Pierre, had contacted Fremont…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dalessandro/restaurant-nicknamed-the-municipal-crib-for-the-number-of-city/) James Dalessandro ## 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/) > [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/) > [A land without memories is a people without liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/a-land-without-memories-is-a-people-without-liberty/) [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 Enemy quotes > [Shall there be truth between us, as two men? Not as friends, but as enemies and equals?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/shall-there-be-truth-between-us-as-two-men-not-as-friends-but-as/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [“Before you were my enemy, you were my best friend.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/before-you-were-my-enemy-you-were-my-best-friend/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [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/) > [Fear is a man's worst enemy, but love is a man's most powerful weapon against anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fear-is-a-man-s-worst-enemy-but-love-is-a-man-s-most-powerful-weapon/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [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/) > [“Never let your Enemies become your Advocates.” by A. K. Hasan”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-k-hasan/never-let-your-enemies-become-your-advocates-by-a-k-hasan/) A.K. Hasan > [The concept of humanity is an especially useful ideological instrument of imperialist expansion, and in its ethical-humanitarian form it is a specific vehicle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-schmitt/the-concept-of-humanity-is-an-especially-useful-ideological/) [Carl Schmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-schmitt/) > [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/) [Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/) > [To achieve victory we must mass our forces at the hub of all power & movement. The enemy's 'Center of Gravity'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-achieve-victory-we-must-mass-our-forces-at-the-hub-of-all-power/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't see why we and the Chinese should have to be enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/i-don-t-see-why-we-and-the-chinese-should-have-to-be-enemies/) [Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/) > [The invention of gunpowder and the constant improvement of firearms are enough in themselves to show that the advance of civilization has done nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/the-invention-of-gunpowder-and-the-constant-improvement-of-firearms/) [Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/) > [Perfection is the enemy of greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/perfection-is-the-enemy-of-greatness/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [In this business, you find the enemy, then go after and destroy him. Everything else is rubbish!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-rickenbacker/in-this-business-you-find-the-enemy-then-go-after-and-destroy-him/) [Eddie Rickenbacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-rickenbacker/) > [“Enemies Teach. Friends Preach.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tapan-ghosh/enemies-teach-friends-preach/) [Tapan Ghosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tapan-ghosh/) [Browse all 7,981 Enemy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We must forgive our enemies. I can truly say that not a day has passed since the war began that I have not prayed for them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert E. 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