Napoleon I of France Quotes

221 Sourced Quotes

Wherever wood can swim, there I am sure to find this flag of England.

Napoleon I of France
From triumph to downfall is but a step. I have seen a trifle decide the most important issues in the gravest affairs.

Napoleon I of France
It is often in the audacity, in the steadfastness, of the general that the safety and the conservation of his men is found.

Napoleon I of France
The most difficult art is not in the choice of men, but in giving to the men chosen the highest service of which they are capable.

Napoleon I of France
The fool has one great advantage over a man of sense — he is always satisfied with himself.

Napoleon I of France
Courage is like love; it must have hope for nourishment.

Napoleon I of France
My waking thoughts are all of thee. Your portrait and the remembrance of last night's delirium have robbed my senses of repose. Sweet and incomparable Josephine, what an extraordinary influence you have over my heart. Are you vexed? Do I see you sad? Are you ill at ease? My soul is broken with grief, and there is no rest for your lover.

Napoleon I of France
Never march by flank in front of an army in position. This principle is absolute.

Napoleon I of France
Obedience to public authority ought not to be based either on ignorance or stupidity.

Napoleon I of France
Man loves the marvelous. It has an irresistible charm for him. He is always ready to leave that with which he is familiar to pursue vain inventions. He lends himself to his own deception.

Napoleon I of France
All generals, officers, and soldiers who capitulate in battle to save their own lives should be decimated.

Napoleon I of France
The true conquests, the only ones that cause no regret, are those made over ignorance.

Napoleon I of France
Our credulity is a part of the imperfection of our natures. It is inherent in us to desire to generalize, when we ought, on the contrary, to guard ourselves very carefully from this tendency.

Napoleon I of France
True character stands the test of emergencies. Do not be mistaken, it is weakness from which the awakening is rude.

Napoleon I of France
One can lead a nation only by helping it see a bright outlook. A leader is a dealer in hope.

Napoleon I of France
Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets.

Napoleon I of France
Orders and decorations are necessary in order to dazzle the people.

Napoleon I of France
Europe is a molehill. It has never had any great empires, like those of the Orient, numbering six hundred million souls.

Napoleon I of France
The life of a citizen is the property of his country.

Napoleon I of France
What are we? What is the future? What is the past? What magic fluid envelops us and hides from us the things it is most important for us to know? We are born, we live, and we die in the midst of the marvelous.

Napoleon I of France