Ulysses S. Grant Quotes
Born: April 27, 1822
Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President and commanding Union General, is rarely celebrated for art, yet his life was a masterclass in creative resilience. His philosophy, forged in the crucible of war and political strife, treated leadership as a blank canvas—demanding bold strokes of clarity, patience, and unflinching honesty. Grant’s legacy teaches that true creativity emerges not from chaos, but from the disciplined, quiet courage to solve problems with steady hands. His memoirs, written while dying of cancer, stand as a testament to this: a masterpiece of prose born from grit. His quotes resonate because they reveal the art of perseverance, proving that the most profound works are often shaped by endurance.
Ulysses S. Grant Quotes (26)
"The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who 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"In every battle there comes a time when both sides consider themselves beaten, then he who continues the attack wins."
— Ulysses S. Grant"Everyone has his superstitions. One of mine has always been when I started to go anywhere, or to do anything, never to turn back or to stop until the thing intended was accomplished."
— Ulysses S. Grant"My failures have been errors in judgment, not of intent."
— Ulysses S. Grant"I have never advocated war except as a means of peace."
— Ulysses S. Grant"Hold fast to the Bible. To the influence of this Book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization and to this we must look as our guide in the future."
— Ulysses S. Grant"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can, and keep moving on."
— Ulysses S. Grant"I know only two tunes: one of them is 'Yankee Doodle', and the other isn't."
— Ulysses S. Grant"Leave the matter of religion to the family altar, the church, and the private school, supported entirely by private contributions. Keep the church and state forever separate."
— Ulysses S. Grant"Let us have peace."
— Ulysses S. Grant"Labor disgraces no man; unfortunately, you occasionally find men who disgrace labor."
— Ulysses S. Grant"No other terms than unconditional and immediate surrender. I propose to move immediately upon your works."
— Ulysses S. Grant"There never was a time when, in my opinion, some way could not be found to prevent the drawing of the sword."
— Ulysses S. Grant"If men make war in slavish obedience to rules, they will fail."
— Ulysses S. Grant"I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer."
— Ulysses S. Grant"Nations, like individuals, are punished for their transgressions."
— Ulysses S. Grant"I appreciate the fact, and am proud of it, that the attentions I am receiving are intended more for our country than for me personally."
— 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"I have made it a rule of my life to trust a man long after other people gave him up, but I don't see how I can ever trust any human being again."
— Ulysses S. Grant"If you see the President, tell him from me that whatever happens there will be no turning back."
— Ulysses S. Grant"I have nothing to do with opinions. I deal only with armed rebellion and its aiders and abettors."
— 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"Declare Church and State forever separate and distinct, but each free within their proper spheres, and that all church property shall bear its own proportion of taxation."
— Ulysses S. Grant"I would suggest the taxation of all property equally, whether church or corporation, exempting only the last resting place of the dead and possibly, with proper restrictions, church edifices."
— Ulysses S. Grant"I am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. I am today what I established yesterday or some previous day."
— Ulysses S. Grant"The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can, and keep moving on."
— Ulysses S. Grant