A biography for Napoleonhasn’t been written yet.
“Destiny urges me to a goal of which I am ignorant. Until that goal is attained I am invulnerable, unassailable. When Destiny has accomplished her purpose in me, a fly may suffice to destroy me.”
“A congress of the powers is deceit agreed on between diplomats — it is the pen of Machiavelli combined with the scimitar of Mahomet.”
“The man fitted for affairs and authority never considers individuals, but things and their consequences.”
“It is only by prudence, wisdom, and dexterity, that great ends are attained and obstacles overcome. Without these qualities nothing succeeds.”
“From triumph to downfall is but a step. I have seen a trifle decide the most important issues in the gravest affairs.”
“Never depend on the multitude, full of instability and whims; always take precautions against it.”
“One must indeed be ignorant of the methods of genius to suppose that it allows itself to be cramped by forms. Forms are for mediocrity, and it is fortunate that mediocrity can act only according to routine. Ability takes its flight unhindered.”
“Impatience is a great obstacle to success; he who treats everything with brusqueness gathers nothing, or only immature fruit which will never ripen.”
“As a rule it is circumstances that make men.”
“Success is the most convincing talker in the world.”
“There are so many laws that no one is safe from hanging.”
“Who saves his country violates no law.”
“The superior man is never in anyone's way.”
“Audacity succeeds as often as it fails; in life it has an even chance.”
“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.”
“You cannot treat with all the world at once.”
“The life of a citizen is the property of his country.”
“Many a one commits a reprehensible action, who is at bottom an honourable man, because man seldom acts upon natural impulse, but from some secret passion of the moment which lies hidden and concealed within the narrowest folds of his heart.”
“A King should sacrifice the best affections of his heart for the good of his country; no sacrifice should be above his determination.”
“A king is sometimes obliged to commit crimes; but they are the crimes of his position.”