Quotes About Power

Do you know, Fontanes, what astonishes me most in this world? The inability of force to create anything. In the long run the sword is always beaten by the spirit

L'ambition de dominer sur les esprits est la plus forte de toutes les passions.

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.

I saw the crown of France laying on the ground, so I picked it up with my sword.

I fear three newspapers more than a hundred thousand bayonets.

Un croquis vaut mieux quun long discours.Fr., A picture is worth a thousand words.

China is a sleeping giant; let him sleep, for if he wakes, he will shake the World.

Put your iron hand in a velvet glove.

There are in the world, two powers. The sword and the spirit. The spirit has always vanquished the sword.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

A revolution is an idea which has found its bayonets.

A king is sometimes obliged to commit crimes; but they are the crimes of his position.

I am the instrument of providence, she will use me as long as I accomplish her designs, then she will break me like a glass.

The hand that gives is above the hand that takes.

I saw myself founding a religion, marching into Asia riding an elephant, a turban on my head and in my hand the new Koran that I would have composed to suit my needs.

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

A revolution can be neither made nor stopped. The only thing that can be done is for one of several of its children to give it a direction by dint of victories.

There are only two forces that unite men fear and interest. All great revolutions originate in fear, for the play of interests does not lead to accomplishment.

A good sketch is better than a long speech.