Quotes from Napoleon Bonaparte

A magistrate is not a father; he must be just and severe. Only tyrants are fathers.

Nothing is more arrogant than the weakness which feels itself supported by power.

Speeches pass away, but acts remain.

Do not talk to me of goodness, of abstract justice, of nature law. Necessity is the highest law, public welfare is the highest justice.

It is an ambassador's duty to stand up for his nation's foreign policy in any era and under any government whatsoever. Ambassadors are, in the full meaning of the term, titled spies.

Pure politics is merely the calculus of combinations and of chances.

Public morals are natural complement of all laws they are by themselves an entire code.

Lack is more in means, than in principles.

Passions change, politics are immutable.

This accession of territory affirms forever the power of the United States, and I have given England a maritime rival who sooner or later will humble her pride.

In political administration, no problem is ever simple. It can never be reduced to the question whether a certain measure is good or not.

Power is founded upon opinion.

A true master of politics is able to calculate, down to the smallest fraction, the advantages to which he may put his very faults.

A new-born Government must shine and astonish - the moment it loses its éclat it falls.

You cannot drag a man's conscience before any tribunal, and no one is answerable for his religious opinions to any power on earth.

Good intelligence is nine-tenths of any battle.

Rigorous authority and justice are the kindness of kings.

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

I have only one counsel for you - be master.

Let the path be open to talent.

The purpose of religion is to keep the poor from killing the rich.

The Mohammedan religion is the finest of all.

I am surrounded by priests who repeat incessantly that their kingdom is not of this world, and yet they lay their hands on everything they can get.

Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich.