Quotessence
Home / Authors / Joshua Chamberlain
Joshua Chamberlain

Joshua Chamberlain Quotes

Former Governor of Maine

Filter quotes by topic

AllMenCivil WarKnowsNobleSoulWarDreamHeartBodyCauses

Famous Joshua Chamberlain Quotes

“The inspiration of a noble cause involving human interests wide and far, enables men to do things they did not dream themselves capable of before, and which they were not capable of alone. The consciousness of belonging, vitally, to something beyond individuality; of being part of a personality that reaches we know not where, in space and time, greatens the heart to the limit of the souls ideal, and builds out the supreme character.”

KnowsMenLifeGivingHumansHeartSoulCharacterDreamInspirationMotivationalPurposeCausesInterestCommunitySpaceConsciousnessPersonalityLimitsCapableIdealsIndividualityWideNobleSupremeFulfillmentMeaning Of LifeBelongingTime And SpaceGiving BackInvolvingInterdependenceLife MeansNoble Causes
Author:Joshua Chamberlain
Create image

“We know not of the future, and cannot plan for it much. But we can hold our spirits and our bodies so pure and high, we may cherish such thoughts and ideals, and dream such dreams of lofty purpose, that we can determine and know what manner of men we will be whenever and wherever the hour stricks that calls to noble action..., No man becomes suddenly different from his habit and cherished thought.”

KnowsMenMayDifferentDreamBodyActionSpiritPurposeHoursPlansHabitPureIdealsDetermineNobleCherishLofty
Author:Joshua Chamberlain
Create image

“In great deeds, something abides. On great fields, something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear; but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls… generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field, to ponder and dream; and lo! the shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and the power of the vision pass into their souls.”

KnowsHeartSoulDoneDreamBodyFormSpiritVisionGenerationsFieldsShadowDeedsDisappearGreat ThingsWrapsBosomsPonderingDeathless
Book:Bayonet! Forward: my Civil War reminiscences
Create image

“But we had with us, to keep and to care for, more than five hundred bruised bodies of men- men made in the image of God, marred by the hand of man and must we say in the name of God? And where is the reckoning for such things? And who is answerable? One might almost shrink from the sound of his own voice, which had launched into the palpitating air words of order- do we call it? - fraught with such ruin. Was it God's command we heard or His forgiveness we must forever implore?”

MenMadeBodyHandsMightCareOrderNamesSoundVoiceForeverFiveHeardAirHundredCommandRuinsShrinksGod ImageReckoningBruised
Author:Joshua Chamberlain
Create image

“It is something great and greatening to cherish an ideal; to act in the light of truth that is far-away and far above; to set aside the near advantage, the momentary pleasure; the snatching of seeming good to self; and to act for remoter ends, for higher good, and for interests other than our own.”

EndsSelfLightInterestPleasureHigherAdvantageIdealsCherishFar AwaySeemingMomentary
Book:Bayonet! Forward: my Civil War reminiscences
Create image

“Heroism is latent in every human soul - However humble or unknown, they (the veterans) have renounced what are accounted pleasures and cheerfully undertaken all the self-denials - privations, toils, dangers, sufferings, sicknesses, mutilations, life-long hurts and losses, death itself - for some great good, dimly seen but dearly held.”

HumansLongSoulSelfSufferingHurtLossPleasureCourageDangerHumbleDenialSicknessHeroismToilVeteranLong LifeHuman SoulMemorial DayLatentMutilationHonoring Veterans Memorial DayHappy Memorial DayHonoring Memorial DayGreat Memorial DayMemorial Day MessagesVeteran MemorialMemorial Day Thank You
Author:Joshua Chamberlain
Create image

“Those who will may raise monuments of marble to perpetuate the fame of heroes. Those who will may build memorial halls to remind those who shall gather there in after times what manhood could do and dare for right, and what high examples of virtue and valor have gone before them. But let us make our offering to the ever-living soul. Let us build our benefactions in the ever-growing heart, that they shall live and rise and spread in blessing beyond our sight, beyond the ken of man and beyond the touch of time.”

MenHeartMaySoulGoneVirtueGrowingExampleHeroBlessingFameSightRaisesDareSpreadHallsOfferingManhoodMemorialMonumentMarbleMemorial DayValor
Author:Joshua Chamberlain
Create image

“He had somehow, with all his modesty, the rare faculty of controlling his superiors as well as his subordinates. He outfaced Stanton, captivated the President, and even compelled acquiescence or silence from that dread source of paralyzing power, the Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the War.”

WellsWarPresidentSilenceSourceSuperiorsCivil WarFacultyDreadModestyCommitteesCompelledSubordinatesCaptivatedAcquiescenceCongressional Committees
Book:The Passing of the Armies: An Account of the Final Campaign of the Army of the Potomac, Based Upon Personal Reminiscences of the Fifth Army Corps
Create image

“We pass now quickly from each other's sight; but I know full well that where beyond these passing scenes you shall be, there will be Heaven.”

KnowsWellsHeavenSceneSightPassingPassings
Book:The Passing of the Armies: An Account of the Final Campaign of the Army of the Potomac, Based Upon Personal Reminiscences of the Fifth Army Corps
Create image