Napoleon Quotes

A collection of quotes by Napoleon.

Napoleon Bonaparte was a prominent military and political leader in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Born on August 15, 1769, in Corsica, he quickly rose through the ranks of the French army during the French Revolution. In 1799, Napoleon staged a coup d'état and became the First Consul of France. He later crowned himself Emperor in 1804, establishing the French Empire.

Napoleon is widely regarded as one of the greatest military strategists in history. His military campaigns expanded the French Empire across Europe, including victories in Italy and Austria. However, his ambitious and expansionist policies ultimately led him to defeat in the devastating failed invasion of Russia in 1812.

In addition to his military achievements, Napoleon implemented numerous reforms in France that significantly shaped its legal and administrative systems. He introduced the Napoleonic Code, a comprehensive civil law system that is still the foundation of many legal codes today. He also promoted education, infrastructure development, and centralized governance.

Napoleon's reign ended in 1814 after his defeat in the War of the Sixth Coalition. He was exiled to the island of Elba but briefly returned to power in 1815 during the Hundred Days period before suffering a final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. He was then exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic, where he died on May 5, 1821.

Napoleon's impact on European history is profound, as his wars and reforms left a lasting legacy on politics, society, and law. He is remembered both as a military genius and a controversial figure.

Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.

Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.

Napoleon

Glory

Even in war moral power is to physical as three parts out of

Even in war moral power is to physical as three parts out of four.

Napoleon


In my youth, I, too, entertained some illusions; but I soon

In my youth, I, too, entertained some illusions; but I soon recovered from them. The great orators who rule the assemblies by the brilliancy of their eloquence are in general men of the most mediocre political talents: they should not be opposed in their own way; for they have always more noisy words at command than you. Their eloquence should be opposed by a serious and logical argument; their strength lies in vagueness; they should be brought back to the reality of facts; practical arguments destroy them. In the council, there were men possessed of much more eloquence than I was: I always defeated them by this simple argumenttwo and two make four.

Napoleon


The Empress is legitimate, my cousin is Republican, Morny is

The Empress is legitimate, my cousin is Republican, Morny is Orleanist, I am a socialist; the only Bonapartist is Persigny, and he is mad.

Napoleon

Politics

The great art of governing consists in not letting men grow

The great art of governing consists in not letting men grow old in their jobs.

Napoleon


If I were an Englishman, I should esteem the man who advised

If I were an Englishman, I should esteem the man who advised a war with China to be the greatest living enemy of my country. You would be beaten in the end, and perhaps a revolution in India would follow.

Napoleon


The army is the true nobility of our country.

The army is the true nobility of our country.

Napoleon

Military

Un croquis vaut mieux qu

Un croquis vaut mieux qu

Napoleon

Art