Napoleon Quotes

A commander-in-chief cannot take as an excuse for his mistakes in warfare an order given by his sovereign or his minister, when the person giving the order is absent from the field of operations and is imperfectly aware or wholly unaware of the latest state of affairs. It follows that any commander-in-chief who undertakes to carry out a plan which he considers defective is at fault; he must put forward his reasons, insist on the plan being changed, and finally tender his resignation rather than be the instrument of his army's downfall.

Where do you think you are going? Can’t you see that the battle is won? Come on, stand firm!

The issue of a battle is the result of an instant, of a thought. There is the advance, with its various combinations, the battle is joined, the struggle goes on a certain time, the decisive moment presents itself, a spark of genius discloses it, and the smallest body of reserves accomplish victory.

On awards, as quoted in Mémoires sur le Consulat. 1799 à 1804 (1827) by Antoine-Claire, Comte Thibaudeau. Chez Ponthieu, pp. 83–84. Original: "On appelle cela des hochets; eh bien! c'est avec des hochets que l'on mène les hommes... Croyez-vous que vous feríez battre des hommes par l'analyse? Jamais. Elle n'est bonne que pour le savant dans son cabinet. Il faut au soldat de la gloire, des distinctions, des récomponses."

une science indigeste?

There are only two forces that unite men - fear and interest

Qu'est ce que l'histoire, sinon une fable sur laquelle tout le monde est d'accord.

Those who receive the most images into their memories have the most lively imaginations.

The superior man is never in anyone's way.

The greatest danger occurs at the moment of victory

If you give me an army of Turks, I can take the whole world hostage.

Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet. Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich.

Well then, I will tell you. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I myself have founded great empires; but upon what did these creations of our genius depend? Upon force. Jesus alone founded His empire upon love, and to this very day millions will die for Him...

Able was I ere I saw Elba

I did not usurp the crown; it was in the gutter and I picked it out.