Napoleon Bonaparte Quotes
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The Emperor died forsaken by all, on this horrible rock. (St. Helena) His death struggle was awful!
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As to moral courage, I have very rarely met with the two o'clock in the morning kind. I mean unprepared courage, that which is necessary on an unexpected occasion, and which, in spite of the most unforeseen events, leaves full freedom of judgement and decision.
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Nothing is so contrary to military rules as to make the strength of your army known, either in the orders of the day, in proclamations, or in the newspapers.
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A man's palate can, in time, become accustomed to anything.
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There is no man more pusillanimous than I when I am planning a campaign. I purposely exaggerate all the dangers and all the calamities that the circumstances make possible. I am in a thoroughly painful state of agitation. This does not keep me from looking quite serene in front of my entourage; I am like an unmarried girl laboring with child. Once I have made up my mind, everything is forgotten except what leads to success.
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Vengeance is without foresight.
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He who is unmoved by tears has no heart.
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The true wealth of a state consists in the number of its inhabitants, in their toil and industry.
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Never tell your enemy he is doing the wrong thing.
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When you set out to take Vienna, take Vienna.
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The nature of Christ is, I grant it, from one end to another, a web of mysteries; but this mysteriousness does not correspond to the difficulties which all existence contains. Let it be rejected, and the whole world is an enigma; let it be accepted, and we possess a wonderful explanation of the history of man.
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From first to last, Jesus is the same; always the same--majestic and simple, infinitely severe and infinitely gentle.
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All great events hang by a single thread. The clever man takes advantage of everything, neglects nothing that may give him some added opportunity; the less clever man, by neglecting one thing, sometimes misses everything.
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A good sketch is better than a long speech.
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Where the Government is weak, military sway prevails.
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Many a one commits a reprehensible action, who is at bottom an honourable man, because man seldom acts upon natural impulse, but from some secret passion of the moment which lies hidden and concealed within the narrowest folds of his heart.
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The most terrible of all my battles was the one before Moscow. The French showed themselves to be worthy of victory, but the Russians showed themselves worthy of being invincible.
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Conscription is the vitality of a nation, the purification of its morality, and the real foundations of all its habits
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A leader has the right to be beaten, but never the right to be surprised.
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If you set out to take Vienna, take Vienna.
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Love is the idler's occupation, the warrior's relaxation, and the sovereign's ruination.
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Good and decent people must be protected and persuaded by gentle means, but the rabble must be led by terror.
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The only victories which leave no regret are those which are gained over ignorance.
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The only victory over love is flight.