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Conscription is the vitality of a nation, the purification of its morality, and the real foundations of all its habits
Napoleon Bonaparte
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Reconnaissance memoranda should always be written in the simplest style and be purely descriptive. They should never stray from their objective by introducing extraneous ideas.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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England would be better off without Canada; it keeps her in a prepared state for war at a great expense and constant irritation.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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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.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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Good and decent people must be protected and persuaded by gentle means, but the rabble must be led by terror.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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Vengeance is without foresight.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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Clearly, the pleasures wines afford are transitory - but so are those of the ballet, or of a musical performance. Wine is inspiring and adds greatly to the joy of living.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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From triumph to downfall there is but one step. I have noted that, in the most momentous occasions, mere nothings have always decided the outcome of the greatest events.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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A man is not dependent upon his fellow creature, when he does not fear death.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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When you determine to risk a battle, reserve to yourself every possible chance of success, more particularly if you have to deal with an adversary of superior talent, for if you are beaten, even in the midst of your magazines and your communications, woe to the vanquished!
Napoleon Bonaparte
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Great events ever depend but upon a single hair. The adroit man profits by everything, neglects nothing which can increase his chances; the less adroit, by sometimes disregarding a single chance, fails in everything.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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I know men, and I tell you, Jesus is more than a man. Comparison is impossible between Him and any other human being who ever lived, because He was the Son of God.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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Great battles are won with artillery.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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My success and everything good that I have done, I owe to my mother.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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Love is the idler's occupation, the warrior's relaxation, and the sovereign's ruination.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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Muhammad was a great man, an intrepid soldier; with a handful of men he triumphed at the battle of Bender (sic); a great captain, eloquent, a great man of state, he revived his fatherland and created a new people and a new power in the middle of Arabia.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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Nothing is more destructive than the charge of artillery on a crowd.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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It is rare that a legislature reasons. It is too quickly impassioned.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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A good sketch is better than a long speech.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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Leaders deal in hope.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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In war, the general alone can judge of certain arrangements. It depends on him alone to conquer difficulties by his own superior talents and resolution.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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I do not amuse myself by thinking of dead people.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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Insubordination may only be the evidence of a strong mind.
Napoleon Bonaparte
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People take England on trust, and repeat that Shakespeare is the greatest of all authors. I have read him: there is nothing that compares Racine or Corneille: his plays are unreadable, pitiful.
Napoleon Bonaparte
