Napoleon Bonaparte Quotes

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.

In tragedy great men are more truly great than in history. We see them only in the crises which unfold them.

Give me a man with a good allowance of nose,... when I want any good head-work done I choose a man - provided his education has been suitable - with a long nose.

I made all my generals out of mud.

True wisdom for a general is vigorous determination.

Ability is of little account without opportunity. I have very rarely met with two o'clock in the morning courage: I mean instantaneous courage.

Everything is more or less organized matter. To think so is against religion, but I think so just the same.

Take a dose of medicine once, and in all probability you will be obliged to take an additional hundred afterwards

There are certain things in war of which the commander alone comprehends the importance. Nothing but his superior firmness and ability can subdue and surmount all difficulties.

In matters of government, justice means force as well as virtue.

Passionate people invariably deny their anger, and cowards often boast their ignorance of fear.

A revolution can be neither made nor stopped. The only thing that can be done is for one of several of its children to give it a direction by dint of victories.

One bad general is worth two good ones.

Pure politics is merely the calculus of combinations and of chances.

Leaders have to be dealers in hope.

In politics nothing is immutable. Events carry within them an invincible power. The unwise destroy themselves in resistance. The skillful accept events, take strong hold of them and direct them.

When a man is a favorite of Fortune she never takes him unawares, and, however astonishing her favors may be, she finds him ready.

The fate of a Nation may sometimes depend upon the position of a fortress.

The inevitable end of multiple chiefs is that they fade and disappear for lack of unity.

Public morals are natural complement of all laws they are by themselves an entire code.

Nothing renders a nation so despicable as religious despotism.

In statesmanship there are predicaments from which it is impossible to escape without some wrongdoing.

Here, Gentlemen, a dog teaches us a lesson in humanity.

Character is victory organized.

I am a monarch of God's creation, and you reptiles of the earth dare not oppose me. I render an account of my government to none save God and Jesus Christ.

How many really capable men are children more than once during the day!

I am the signet which marks the page where the revolution has been stopped; but when I die it will turn the page and resume its course.

Keep a good table and attend to the ladies.

Public esteem is the recompense of honest men.

An Emperor confides in national soldiers, not in mercenaries.

A form of government that is not the result of a long sequence of shared experiences, efforts, and endeavors can never take root.

There are only two forces that unite men - fear and interest. All great revolutions originate in fear, for the play of interests does not lead to accomplishment.

Timid and cowardly soldiers cause the loss of a nation's independence; but pusillanimous magistrates destroy the empire of the laws, the rights of the throne, and even social order itself.

Revolutions are good times for soldiers of talent and courage.

Good infantry is without doubt the sinews of an army; but if it has to fight a long time against very superior artillery, it will become demoralized and will be destroyed.

In politics, an absurdity in public business is going into it.

What a solace Christianity must be to one who has an undoubted conviction of its truth!

Tis a principle of war that when you can use the lightning, 'tis better than cannon.

Artillery is more essential to cavalry than to infantry, because cavalry has no fire for its defence, but depends on the sabre.

The art of government is not to let me grow stale.

A beautiful woman like eyes, and a good heart; One is a beautiful thing, and other treasures.

A great people may be killed, but they cannot be intimidated.

You don't govern men who don't have religion, you shoot them.

The tools belong to the man who can use them.

To negotiate is not to do as one likes.

Soldiers win battles and generals get the medals.

Malice delights to blacken the characters of prominent men.

The poor man commands respect; the beggar must always excite anger.

He who is unmoved by tears has no heart.

Battles are lost or won in 15 minutes