Quotes from Napoleon Bonaparte

The most constant, the most powerful, and the most generous of all my enemies.

If it had not been for the English I should have been emperor of the East, but wherever there is water to float a ship we are sure to find them in our way.

But it is at home and not in public that one should wash ones dirty linen. [Fr., Car c'est en famille, ce n'est pas en public, qu'un lave son linge sale.]

We should wash our dirty linen at home.

Put a rogue in the limelight and he will act like an honest man.

When I had the honor to be a second lieutenant, I ate dry bread, but I never let anyone know that I was poor.

The sentiment of national honor is never more than half extinguished in the French. It takes only a spark to re-kindle it.

Posterity alone rightly judges kings. Posterity alone has the right to accord or withhold honors.

The leader's role is to define reality, then give hope

He, who practices right, but in the hope of acquiring great renown, is very near to vice.

Leaders deal in hope.

France is invaded; I am leaving to take command of my troops, and, with God's help and their valor, I hope soon to drive the enemy beyond the frontier.

Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

Imagination governs the world.

Independence, like honor, is a rocky island, without a beach.

Timid and cowardly soldiers cause the loss of a nation's independence; but pusillanimous magistrates destroy the empire of the laws, the rights of the throne, and even social order itself.

An army of lions commanded by a deer will never be an army of lions.

Over-preparation is the foe of inspiration.

Few really believe. The most only believe that they believe or even make believe.

Throw off your worries when you throw off your clothes at night.

Water, air, and cleanness are the chief articles in my pharmacy.

Ambition never is in a greater hurry than I; it merely keeps pace with circumstances and with my general way of thinking.

The infectiousness of crime is like that of the plague.

Power is what they like - it is the greatest of all aphrodisiacs.