A Perfect Time To Be Objective

In the early days of the Civil War, Robert E. Lee was severely criticized by General Whiting.  It might have been expected that Lee would seize any opportunity to get even with Whiting.  The opportunity presented itself when Jefferson Davis called Lee in for consultation.

Davis wanted to know what Lee thought of General Whiting.  Without hesitation Lee commended him in high terms and called him one of the ablest men in the army.  Afterwards, a fellow officer took Lee aside and wanted to know why he had not told Davis the things Whiting had said about him.

Lee answered, "It was my understanding that the President wanted to know my opinion of Whiting, not Whiting's opinion of me."

- Bits & Pieces (The Economics Press, Inc., 1996)