Quotes from Napoleon Bonaparte

History is a series of lies on which we agree.

I have to say it: I didn't have the courage.

I feel myself driven towards an end that I do not know. As soon as I shall have reached it, as soon as I shall become unnecessary, an atom will suffice to shatter me. Till then, not all the forces of mankind can do anything against me.

Damn sugar, damn coffee, damn colonies!

There are times when a battle decides everything, and there are times when the most insignificant thing can decide the outcome of a battle

The strong man is the one who is able to intercept at will the communication between the senses and the mind.

Never ascribe to malice that which can adequately be explained by incompetence.

Among those who dislike oppression are many who like to oppress.

If I had believed in a God of rewards and punishments, I might have lost courage in battle

There are only two forces in the world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit.

Soldiers usually win the battles and generals get the credit for them.

Every soldier carries a marshall's baton in his pack.

In politics... never retreat, never retract... never admit a mistake.

Soldiers generally win battles; generals get credit for them.

Skepticism is a virtue in history as well as in philosophy.

A man will fight harder for his interests than for his rights.

Over-preparation is the foe of inspiration.

It is the cause and not merely the death that makes the martyr.

The only conquests that are permanent and leave no regrets are our conquests over ourselves.

Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires; but what foundation did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded an empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.

No one knows how it is that with one glance a boy can break through into a girl's heart.

The torment of precautions often exceeds the dangers to be avoided.

Why and how are words so important that they cannot be too often used.

When soldiers have been baptized in the fire of a battle-field, they have all one rank in my eyes.