As for those of us born and raised in the Southern states of the United States, today, the 3rd Monday of January which was proclaimed many years past as the official birthday celebration of General Robert E. Lee. Although the General's birthday was actually January, 19th, this 3rd Monday in January is observed by many many people as the holiday's date.
Thus we celebrate and honor the life of IMO, the greatest General in American history.
General Lee had many, now famous, quotes and used by men and women in their speeches and literary writings to this day, however, below are words I have tried to live by since I was in my youth.
" The forbearing use of power does not only form a touchstone, but the manner in which an individual enjoys certain advantages over others is a test of a true gentleman.
The power which the strong have over the weak, the employer over the employed, the educated over the unlettered, the experienced over the confiding, even the clever over the silly--the forbearing or inoffensive use of all this power or authority, or a total abstinence from it when the case admits it, will show the men in a plain light.
The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He cannot only forgive, he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which impart sufficient strength to let the past be but the past. A true man of honor feels humbled when he cannot help humbling others."
― Robert E. Lee
