Napoleon Quotes

French military leader, French Emperor 1804–1814 and again in 1815 (1769–1821)

Napoléon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) was a French military general who rose dramatically up the ranks of the French Army during the French Revolution, becoming the ruler of France as First Consul of the French Republic (11 November 1799 - 18 May 1804), and then Emperor of the French and King of Italy under the name Napoleon I (18 May 1804 - 6 April 1814, and again briefly from 20 March - 22 June 1815). He died in exile on the island of Saint Helena.

From: Wikiquote (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Native Name: Napulione Buonaparte

Alternative Names: Napoléon Bonaparte • Napoleone di Buonaparte • Empereur des Français Napoléon I • Napoleon Buonaparte • Napoleone Bonaparte • Napoleone Buonaparte • Napoleon I • the Corsican Napolean • The Little Corporal • Napulione di Buonaparte • Napoleon I of France • Napoleone I • Little Corporal • Emperador dels Francesos Napoleó I • Napoleon Bonaparte

From Wikidata (CC0)

Greatness is nothing unless it be lasting.

A King should sacrifice the best affections of his heart for the good of his country; no sacrifice should be above his determination.

A king is sometimes obliged to commit crimes; but they are the crimes of his position.

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

A Government protected by foreigners will never be accepted by a free people.

Sometimes a great example is necessary to all the public functionaries of the state.

Power is founded upon opinion.

Hereditary succession to the magistracy is absurd, as it tends to make a property of it; it is incompatible with the sovereignty of the people.

The people must not be counted upon; they cry indifferently : "Long live the King!" and "Long live the Conspirators!" a proper direction must be given to them, and proper instruments employed to effect it.

A constitution should be framed so as not to impede the action of government, nor force the government to its violation.

What is the government? nothing, unless supported by opinion.

He who fears being conquered is certain of defeat.

On veut détruire la Révolution en s’attaquant à ma personne: je la défendrai, car je suis la Révolution, moi, moi … On y regardera à partir d’aujourd’hui, car on saura de quoi nous sommes capables.

They seek to destroy the Revolution by attacking my person: I will defend it for I am the Revolution, I myself! Henceforth they will look to it, for they will know of what we are capable.

Si j'avais été à la Martinique, j'aurais été pour les Anglais, parce qu'avant tout il faut sauver sa vie. Je suis pour les blancs, parce que je suis blanc; je n'en ai pas d'autre raison, et celle-là est la bonne. Comment a-t-on pu donner la liberté à des Africains, à des hommes qui n'avaient aucune civilisation, qui ne savaient seulement pas ce que c'était que colonie, ce que c'était que la France?