Napoleon I of France Quote

I may have had many projects, but I never was free to carry out any of them. It did me little good to be holding the helm; no matter how strong my hands, the sudden and numerous waves were stronger still, and I was wise enough to yield to them rather than resist them obstinately and make the ship founder. Thus I never was truly my own master but was always ruled by circumstances.


Conversation with Emmanuel, comte de Las Cases (11 November 1816), Mémorial de Sainte Hélène, v. 4, p. 133.


I may have had many projects, but I never was free to carry out any of them. It did me little good to be holding the helm; no matter how strong my...

I may have had many projects, but I never was free to carry out any of them. It did me little good to be holding the helm; no matter how strong my...

I may have had many projects, but I never was free to carry out any of them. It did me little good to be holding the helm; no matter how strong my...

I may have had many projects, but I never was free to carry out any of them. It did me little good to be holding the helm; no matter how strong my...