Quotes about men

„In itself and in its consequences the life of leisure is beautiful and ennobling in all civilised men's eyes.“

—  Thorstein Veblen, book The Theory of the Leisure Class

Source: The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899), p. 23

„Without the fear of God, men do not even observe justice and charity among themselves.“

—  John Calvin, book Institutes of the Christian Religion

Source: Institutes of the Christian Religion

„Murderers are not monsters, they're men. And that's the most frightening thing about them.“

—  Alice Sebold, book The Lovely Bones

Source: The Lovely Bones

„A great wind came forth, the clouds rose on high.
Now that my might rules all within the seas, I have returned to my old village.
Where will I find brave men to guard the four corners of my land?“

—  Emperor Gaozu of Han founding emperor of the Han Dynasty (256 BC - 195 BC) -256 - -195 BC

Translated by Burton Watson
大風歌 Song of the Great Wind
Original: (zh_Hant) 大風起兮雲飛揚，
威加海內兮歸故鄉，
安得猛士兮守四方。

„Circus, n. A place where horses, ponies and elephants are permitted to see men, women and children acting the fool.“

—  Ambrose Bierce, book The Devil's Dictionary

The Devil's Dictionary (1911)

„Hidden in hollows and behind clumps of rank brambles were large tents, dimly lighted with candles, but looking comfortable. The kind of comfort they supplied was indicated by pairs of men entering and reappearing, bearing litters; by low moans from within and by long rows of dead with covered faces outside. These tents were constantly receiving the wounded, yet were never full; they were continually ejecting the dead, yet were never empty. It was as if the helpless had been carried in and murdered, that they might not hamper those whose business it was to fall to-morrow.“

—  Ambrose Bierce American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist, and satirist 1842 - 1914

Source: What I Saw At Shiloh (1881), V

„Dawn: When men of reason go to bed.“

—  Ambrose Bierce American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist, and satirist 1842 - 1914

„An army's bravest men are its cowards. The death which they would not meet at the hands of the enemy they will meet at the hands of their officers, with never a flinching.“

—  Ambrose Bierce American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist, and satirist 1842 - 1914

Source: What I Saw At Shiloh (1881), V

„There are only two forces that unite men — fear and interest.“

—  Napoleon I of France French general, First Consul and later Emperor of the French 1769 - 1821

Napoleon : In His Own Words (1916)
Context: There are only two forces that unite men — fear and interest. All great revolutions originate in fear, for the play of interests does not lead to accomplishment.

„On the 7th of June our little force of colored and white troops across the Mississippi, at Milliken's Bend, were attacked by about 3,000 men from Richard Taylor's trans-Mississippi command. With the aid of the gunboats they were speedily repelled. I sent Mower's brigade over with instructions to drive the enemy beyond the Tensas Bayou; and we had no further trouble in that quarter during the siege. This was the first important engagement of the war in which colored troops were under fire. These men were very raw, having all been enlisted since the beginning of the siege, but they behaved well.“

—  Ulysses S. Grant 18th President of the United States 1822 - 1885

Source: 1880s, Ch. 37.

„Civil war, such as you have just passed through naturally engenders feelings of animosity, hatred, and revenge. It is our duty to divest ourselves of all such feelings; and as far as it is in our power to do so, to cultivate friendly feelings towards those with whom we have so long contended, and heretofore so widely, but honestly, differed. Neighborhood feuds, personal animosities, and private differences should be blotted out; and, when you return home, a manly, straightforward course of conduct will secure the respect of your enemies. Whatever your responsibilities may be to Government, to society, or to individuals meet them like men.“

—  Nathan Bedford Forrest Confederate Army general 1821 - 1877

1860s, Farewell address (1865)

„There is no doubt we could soon wipe old Sherman off the face of the earth, John, if they'd give me enough men and you enough guns.“

—  Nathan Bedford Forrest Confederate Army general 1821 - 1877

To Captain John Morton, 1864. As quoted in May I Quote You, General Forrest? by Randall Bedwell.
1860s

„Men, you may all do as you damn please, but I'm a-goin' home.“

—  Nathan Bedford Forrest Confederate Army general 1821 - 1877

Forrest to Charles Clark, Governor of Mississippi and Isham G. Harris, former Governor of Tennessee, in response to the request that he keep fighting. As quoted in May I Quote You, General Forrest? by Randall Bedwell.
1860s

„Many things have been said about me which are wrong, and which white and black persons here, who stood by me through the war, can contradict. I have been in the heat of battle when colored men, asked me to protect them. I have placed myself between them and the bullets of my men, and told them they should be kept unharmed. Go to work, be industrious, live honestly and act truly, and when you are oppressed I'll come to your relief. I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for this opportunity you have afforded me to be with you, and to assure you that I am with you in heart and in hand.“

—  Nathan Bedford Forrest Confederate Army general 1821 - 1877

1870s, Speech before the Pole-Bearers Association (1875)

„I have not said anything about politics today. I don't propose to say anything about politics. You have a right to elect whom you please; vote for the man you think best, and I think, when that is done, that you and I are freemen. Do as you consider right and honest in electing men for office. I did not come here to make you a long speech, although invited to do so by you. I am not much of a speaker, and my business prevented me from preparing myself. I came to meet you as friends, and welcome you to the white people. I want you to come nearer to us. When I can serve you I will do so. We have but one flag, one country; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment. Use your best judgement in selecting men for office and vote as you think right.“

—  Nathan Bedford Forrest Confederate Army general 1821 - 1877

1870s, Speech before the Pole-Bearers Association (1875)

„I am of the opinion that all who can should vote for the most intelligent, honest, and conscientious men eligible to office, irrespective of former party opinions, who will endeavour to make the new constitutions and the laws passed under them as beneficial as possible to the true interests, prosperity, and liberty of all classes and conditions of the people.“

—  Robert E. Lee Confederate general in the Civil War 1807 - 1870

Letter to General James Longstreet (29 October 1867), as quoted in Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee (1924), p. 269.
1860s

„Man is more interesting than men.“

—  André Gide French novelist and essayist 1869 - 1951

Literature and Ethics, entry for 1901
Journals 1889-1949
Context: Man is more interesting than men. God made him and not them in his image. Each one is more precious than all.

„Money does not represent such a value as men have placed upon it. All my money has been invested into experiments with which I have made new discoveries enabling mankind to have a little easier life.“

—  Nikola Tesla Serbian American inventor 1856 - 1943

As quoted in "A Visit to Nikola Tesla" by Dragislav L. Petković in Politika (April 1927); also in Tesla, Master of Lightning (1999) by Margaret Cheney, Robert Uth, and Jim Glenn, p. 82

„Great men are always of a nature originally melancholy.“

—  Aristotle Classical Greek philosopher, student of Plato and founder of Western philosophy -384 - -321 BC