It is usually said that history is written from the victor — that in the aftermath of conflict, the defeated are often portrayed being a collective, detestable mass that follows a likewise repulsive value system. Yet, though his Confederate Army is at the losing end of America’s Civil War, Robert E. Lee is remembered as one of the most celebrated generals in American history.
Rational ideas of armed conflict presume that defeated soldiers must be denounced, not exalted; punished, not praised; and despised, not admired. However, Lee is entirely in the latter. What made one man, one soldier, stand out that he’s remembered by more Americans today than lots of his victorious Union counterparts?
Unfortunately, it is a question a large number of volumes of books have experienced trouble answering. And, I think that you’ve no desire (during this moment, at least) to see content of such depth and breadth (and i also admit i cannot write it). Nonetheless, if I was required to describe the reason for Lee’s appeal in a single word, it would be “motivation.”
I will explore this theme poor the following quote:
“There is scarcely any situation that is right that people cannot desire to accomplish by labor and perseverance. Nevertheless the first has to be earnest along with the second unremitting.”
Robert E. Lee
Earnest Labor
Today’s culture is one where immediacy is glorified — from your 24 hour news cycle; to tarts that “pop” before you can pour a glass of milk; to magic diet pills — so that it is easy to forget that anything worth accomplishing takes earnest labor, that we would define as a serious and purposeful exertion of body, mind and spirit.
For when business people discuss pouring their blood, sweat and tears to their companies, they refer simply to earnest labor.
When the craft of a famous musician or star athlete seems to look “easy,” it really is made so through earnest labor.
And, while i make an effort to achieve achieve of building a marathon, I’ll invest in one principle: you got it right, earnest labor.
A chance to learn; the power to alter; and also the strategies which goals are accomplished; are controlled because of your capability to work tirelessly, and to do this earnestly — without reservations (or possibly a fast solution).
Unremitting Perseverance
Lee fought a constant battle for a lot of the Civil War. His outnumbered and poorly-supplied army shrank daily due to desertions by disheartened soldiers. Yet, despite this, he fought vigorously before moment when defeat was imminent.
How many times will we give up on goals when things aren’t proceeding exactly as there were anticipated? Do you decide to stop smoking, but found out you had a tremendous project due at the office, school, or elsewhere? Would you try making a habit of getting out of bed earlier each morning, but slept in the next day and decided it’s a pointless exercise?
Lee comes with a answer for these, and also other, problems: unremitting perseverance, which I would define as a steady, unshakable persistence in sticking to an option, belief, or purpose.
Once i train for and in the end run the marathon, I am aware there is a little voice inside my head telling me to prevent; that it hurts excessive to travel a step further. However, my unremitting perseverance in pursuing the challenge — up to the conclusion line — will enable me to pay attention only to my footsteps from the pavement; the gentle breeze passing over my ears; and the rhythm of my breathing — thus pushing that little voice in the depths of my subconscious.
Nevertheless, lee quotes about slavery is an ideal example that harboring unremitting perseverance won’t ensure victory. In the end, he was defeated in war. Yet, even just in momentary failure, perseverance will give you the electricity to have back on your metaphorical (or actual) horse and ride into battle (hopefully metaphorical) yet again, pursuing your goals together with the knowledge that may simply be learned through setback.
It is known that history is constructed from the victor; and, in Lee’s case, it can be. In capturing the hearts of american citizens, both through his military actions, his personal value system, and his sincere words of wisdom, Robert E. Lee is clearly victorious.
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