"Whiskey - I like it, I always did, and that is the reason I never use it"

Robert E. Lee’s statement about whiskey, “I like it, I always did, and that is the reason I never use it,” encapsulates a profound awareness of personal vulnerability and the exercise of self-discipline. His words reflect a nuanced attitude toward pleasure and the temptations that come with it. Rather than denying the appeal of whiskey or condemning its use in absolute terms, Lee acknowledges his genuine fondness for it. This honesty demonstrates self-knowledge , an understanding not only of his desires but also of the potential consequences if he were to indulge them.

By admitting his liking, he avoids the hypocrisy often found in moral stances that denigrate enjoyment out of a misplaced sense of virtue. Instead, he offers a form of restraint that grows directly from appreciation rather than ignorance or scorn. For Lee, abstaining is not a denial of sensory pleasure or a rejection imposed by external rules, but a personal strategy rooted in respect for his own weaknesses. He implies that enjoying something too much can pose a risk to self-control; thus, the wisest course, at least for him, is total abstinence.

Lee’s approach invites reflection on the difference between moderation and abstinence in relation to individual temperament. Some individuals can enjoy certain pleasures in moderation without adverse effects, while others recognize that even small indulgence can lead down a slippery slope. His statement subtly expresses that knowing oneself is a key component of virtue. True strength and discipline come not from willfully exposing oneself to repeated temptation, but from shaping one’s environment and habits in ways that support personal integrity.

Finally, Lee’s words can be seen as an implicit warning about human susceptibility, a nod to humility. Instead of placing himself above others, he acknowledges human frailty and exercises conscious restraint not because of moral superiority, but from an understanding of his own limits.