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.

Napoleon I of France Quotes

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...