Napoleon Bonaparte

“Ability is nothing without opportunity.”

“Men take only their needs into consideration - never their abilities.”

“The act of policing is, in order to punish less often, to punish more severely.”

“When soldiers have been baptized in the fire of a battle-field, they have all one rank in my eyes.”

“One should never forbid what one lacks the power to prevent.”

“Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.”

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

“History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon.”

“Medicines are only fit for old people.”

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

“Skepticism is a virtue in history as well as in philosophy.”

“There are only two forces that unite men - fear and interest.”

“Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them.”

“With audacity one can undertake anything, but not do everything.”

“The first virtue in a soldier is endurance of fatigue; courage is only the second virtue.”

“Men are more easily governed through their vices than through their virtues.”

“The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies.”

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

“The best cure for the body is a quiet mind.”

“War is the business of barbarians.”