The greatest ornament of an illustrious life is modesty and humility, which go a great way in the character even of the most exalted princes.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Modesty
I tell you Wellington is a bad general, the English are bad soldiers; we will settle this matter by lunch time.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Argument
My dominion ends where that of conscience begins.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Conscience
The great art of governing consists in not letting men grow old in their jobs.
—Napoleon I
Circumstances!—I make circumstances!
—Napoleon I
It requires more courage to suffer than to die.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Bravery, Suffering, Courage
When small men attempt great enterprises, they always end by reducing them to the level of their mediocrity.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Mediocrity
Never ascribe to malice that which can adequately be explained by incompetence.
—Napoleon I
The best way to keep one’s word is not to give it.
—Napoleon I
Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Glory
You medical people will have more lives to answer for in the other world than even we generals.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Medicine, Doctors
An order that can be misunderstood will be misunderstood.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Leadership, Leaders
The most insupportable of tyrannies is that of inferiors.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Tyranny
When soldiers have been baptized in the fire of a battle-field, they have all one rank in my eyes.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Conflict, Soldiers
In my youth, I, too, entertained some illusions; but I soon recovered from them. The great orators who rule the assemblies by the brilliancy of their eloquence are in general men of the most mediocre political talents: they should not be opposed in their own way; for they have always more noisy words at command than you. Their eloquence should be opposed by a serious and logical argument; their strength lies in vagueness; they should be brought back to the reality of facts; practical arguments destroy them. In the council, there were men possessed of much more eloquence than I was: I always defeated them by this simple argumenttwo and two make four.
—Napoleon I
The Gospel is not merely a book—it is a living power—a book surpassing all others.—I never omit to read it, and every day with the same pleasure. Nowhere is to be found such a series of beautiful ideas, and admirable moral maxims, which pass before us like the battalions of a celestial army … The soul can never go astray with this book for its guide.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Bible
A true man hates no one.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Men
You think you are too intelligent to believe in God.—I am not like you.—Not every one who wishes to be is an atheist.
—Napoleon I
The art of government is not to let me grow stale.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Government
A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of coloured ribbon.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Pride
Imagination rules the world.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Imagination
From the sublime to the ridiculous there is but one step.
—Napoleon I
When I want any, good head work done; I always choose a man, if possible with a long nose.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Quality
War is the business of barbarians.
—Napoleon I
Topics: War, Business
Let France have good mothers, and she will have good sons.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Family, Mothers, Mother
Vengeance has no foresight.
—Napoleon I
Topics: One liners, Revenge, Vengeance
Respect the burden.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Respect, Respectability
Every soldier carries a marshall’s baton in his pack.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Soldiers
Public opinion is the thermometer a monarch should constantly consult.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Public opinion, Opinion
Men are Moved by two levers only: fear and self interest
—Napoleon I
Topics: Fear, Feelings
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Edgar Degas French Painter
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Michel de Montaigne French Essayist
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Jean Cocteau French Poet, Artist