Quotes from Napoleon

What is history but a fable agreed upon?

The human race is governed by its imagination.

The bed has become a place of luxury to me! I would not exchange it for all the thrones in the world.

Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I myself have founded empires; but upon what do these creations of our genius depend? Upon force. Jesus alone founded His empire upon love; and to this very day millions would die for Him.

A cowardly act! What do I care about that? You may be sure that I should never fear to commit one if it were to my advantage.

Where flowers degenerate man cannot live.

Forethought we may have, undoubtedly, but not foresight.

Impossible is a word only to be found in the dictionary of fools.

I fear three newspapers more than a hundred thousand bayonets.

Men, in general, are but great great children.

Soldiers, forty centuries are looking down upon you from these pyramids.

Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets.

There is only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous.

It requires more courage to suffer than to die.

It is cowardice to commit suicide.

Public instruction should be the first object of government.

For the maintenance of peace, nations should avoid the pin-pricks which forerun cannon-shots.

History is a myth that men agree to believe.

Clearly, the pleasures wines afford are transitory ñ but so are those of the ballet, or of a musical performance. Wine is inspiring and adds greatly to the joy of living.

France always has plenty men of talent, but it is always deficient in men of action and high character.

Clearly, the pleasures wines afford are transitory, but so are those of the ballet or of a musical performance. Wine is inspiring and adds greatly to the joy of living.

Occupation is the scythe of time.

The conscience is the sacred haven of the liberty of man.

For the maintenance of peace, nations should avoid the pin-pricks which forerun cannon-shots.