No matter where you go, however far away, a part of me will be with you and a part of you, with me, will stay
But to see her was to love her, love but her, and love her forever
As for me, to love you alone, to make you happy, to do nothing which would contradict your wishes, this is my destiny and the meaning of my life.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Romance, Love
When soldiers have been baptized in the fire of a battle-field, they have all one rank in my eyes.
—Napoleon I
The best way to keep one’s word is not to give it.
—Napoleon I
Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.
—Napoleon I
Medicines are only fit for old people.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Medicine
Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Religion
Music, of all the liberal arts, has the greatest influence over the passions, and is that to which the legislator ought to give the greatest encouragement.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Music
Ability is of little account without opportunity.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Opportunities, Ability
The true policy of a government is to make use a aristocracy, but under the forms and in the spirit of democracy.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Class
The French complain of everything, and always.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Nationality
The greatest ornament of an illustrious life is modesty and humility, which go a great way in the character even of the most exalted princes.
—Napoleon I
There is one kind of robber whom the law does not strike at, and who steals what is most precious to men: time.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Time, Time Management
The contagion of crime is like that of the plague. — Criminals collected together corrupt each other. — They are worse than ever when, at the termination of their punishment, they return to society.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Evil, Crime
Power is founded upon opinion.
—Napoleon I
Ability is of little account without opportunity.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Opportunity
Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking and go in.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Thinking, Procrastination, Action
Impossible! That is not good French.
—Napoleon I
A leader is a dealer in hope.
—Napoleon I
The torment of precautions often exceeds the dangers to be avoided. It is sometimes better to abandon one’s self to destiny.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Caution, Risk, Worry, Attitude, Perspective
Fashion condemns us to many follies; the greatest is to make ourselves its slave.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Fashion
Religion is what keeps the poor man from murdering the rich.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Religion
Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Freedom, Decisions, Thought
Public instruction should be the first object of government.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Government, Education
If you wish to be success in the world, promise everything, deliver nothing.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Promises
I made all my generals out of mud.
—Napoleon I
Let the path be open to talent.
—Napoleon I
It is the cause and not merely the death that makes the martyr.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Leaders, Leadership, Heroes
To do all that one is able to do is to be a man; to do all that one would like to do is to be a god.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Awareness, Acceptance, Realization, Realistic Expectations
The extent of your consciousness is limited only by your ability to love and to embrace with your love the space around you, and all it contains.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Space, Ability, Conscience
War is the business of barbarians.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Business, War
If I had believed in a God of rewards and punishments, I might have lost courage in battle
—Napoleon I
Topics: Battle
I fear three newspapers more than a hundred thousand bayonets.
—Napoleon I
Glory is fleeting,
but obscurity is forever.
—Napoleon I
Once you have made up your mind, stick to it; there is no longer any ‘if’ or ‘but’.
—Napoleon I
Topics: Decisions
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
—Napoleon I
What do I care about circumstances? I create circumstances.
—Napoleon I
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Queen Elizabeth I British Monarch
Christina, Queen of Sweden Swedish Monarch
Akhenaten Egyptian Monarch
Frederick II of Prussia Prussian Monarch
Charles de Gaulle French General, Statesman
Blaise Pascal French Philosopher, Scientist
Michel de Montaigne French Essayist
Marie Curie Polish-born French Physicist
Georges Bernanos French Author
Edgar Degas French Painter