Various

“ A wounded soldier was struck by the shoe of a horse in the Emperor's suite, and uttered a heartrending cry, upon which the Emperor quickly turned, and inquired in a most vehement manner who was the awkward person by whom the man was hurt. He was told, thinking that it would calm his anger, that the man was nothing but a Russian. "Russian or French," he exclaimed, "I wish every one removed!" Poor young fellows who were making their first campaign, being wounded to the death, lost courage, and wept like children crying for their mothers. ”

“ Never did poet or novelist imagine scenes so improbable. The son of an obscure lawyer in an unimportant island becomes Emperor of the French and King of Italy. His brothers and sisters become kings and queens. The sons of innkeepers, notaries; lawyers, and peasants become marshals of the empire. The Emperor, first making a West India Creole his wife and Empress, puts her away, and marries a daughter of the haughtiest and oldest royal house in Europe, the niece of a queen whom the people of France had beheaded a few years before. Their son is born a king—King of Rome. ”

“ The Archbishop of Milan had come to Lyons, notwithstanding his great age, in order to see the First Consul, whom he loved with such tenderness that in conversation the venerable old man continually addressed the young general as "my son." The peasants of Pavia, having revolted because their fanaticism had been excited by false assertions that the French wished to destroy their religion, the Archbishop of Milan, in order to prove that their fears were groundless, often showed himself in a carriage with General Bonaparte. ”

“ MEMOIRS OF NAPOLEON, V16, by Bourrienne [nb16v10.txt] 3566
Every one cannot be an atheist who pleases
Grew more angry as his anger was less regarded
I do not live—I merely exist
Strike their imaginations by absurdities than by rational ideas
Those who are free from common prejudices acquire others ”

“ A pope now arrives at sovereign power with a mind sharpened by being accustomed to intrigue, and with a fear of making powerful enemies who may hereafter revenge themselves on his family, since his successor is always unknown. In fine, he cares for nothing but to live and die in peace. ”

“ I saw Crescentini's debut at Paris in the role of Romeo, in Romeo and Juliet. He came preceded by a reputation as the first singer of Italy; and this reputation was found to be well deserved, notwithstanding all the prejudices he had to overcome, for I remember well the disparaging statements made concerning him before his debut at the court theater. According to these self-appointed connoisseurs, he was a bawler without taste, without method, a maker of absurd trills, an unimpassioned actor of little intelligence, and many other things besides. ”

“ The system of public works was at the same time resumed throughout France. "It is easy to see," said the workmen, "that 'the great contractor' is returned; all was dead, now everything revives."
One of the most important struggles of modern times was now about to commence— a struggle which for many years was to decide the fate of Europe. Napoleon and Wellington at length stood opposite one another. They had never met; the military reputation of each was of the highest kind.
On one occasion he ordered his camp-bed to be displayed for the inspection of the English officers. ”

“ PRIVATE LIFE OF NAPOLEON, V12, by Constant [nc12v10.txt] 3579
She was a brunette of ordinary height, but with a beautiful figure, and pretty feet and hands, her whole person full of grace, and was indeed perfectly charming in all respects, and, besides, united with most enticing coquetry every accomplishment, danced with much grace, played on several instruments, and was full of intelligence; in fact, she had received that kind of showy education which forms the most charming mistresses and the worst wives.
It has been said that no man is, a hero to his valet. ”

“ But let a cry of pain be heard in any direction, the Emperor instantly raised his head, and gave orders to go and ascertain what had happened. The power of thus isolating one's self completely from all the surrounding world is very difficult to acquire, and no one possessed it to the same degree as his Majesty. ”

“ There were also traitors in Boulogne. A schoolmaster, the secret agent of Lords Keith and Melville, was surprised one morning on the cliff above the camp of the right wing, making telegraphic signals with his arms; and being arrested almost in the act by the sentinels, he protested his innocence, and tried to turn the incident into a jest, but his papers were searched, and correspondence with the English found, which clearly proved his guilt. He was delivered to the council of war, and shot the next day. ”

“ Vices or virtues of all civilized nations are relatively the same
Want is the parent of industry
We are tired of everything, even of our existence
Were my generals as great fools as some of my Ministers
When a man has so much money he cannot have got it honestly
Which crime in power has interest to render impenetrable
Who complains is shot as a conspirator
With us, unfortunately, suspicion is the same as conviction
Would cease to rule the day he became just
Yield to illusion when the truth was not satisfactory
You have given me your long price, now give me your short one. ”

“ It is with regret that I demand of this generous people new sacrifices, but they are necessary for their noblest and dearest interests. I have been compelled to re-enforce my armies by numerous levies, for nations treat with security only when they display all their strength. ”

“ Women not residing in Boulogne were prohibited from remaining there without a special permit from the minister of police. This measure had been judged necessary on account of the army; for otherwise each soldier perhaps would have brought a woman to Boulogne, and the disorder would have been indescribable. ”

“ Passions are always bad counsellors
MEMOIRS OF NAPOLEON, V2, by Bourrienne [nb02v10.txt] 3552
Bonaparte was a creator in the art of war
Leave ordinary letters for three weeks in the basket
Occupied with what he was thinking of than with what was said
MEMOIRS OF NAPOLEON, V3, by Bourrienne [nb03v10.txt] 3553
Always meet your enemies with a bold face
Least benefit which accrues inspires the hope of a new
Look upon religions as the work of men
Napoleon loved only men with strong passions and great weakness
Religions a powerful engine of government
We never know what we wish for ”

“ Were made friends of lest they should become enemies
Would enact the more in proportion as we yield
MEMOIRS OF NAPOLEON, V7, by Bourrienne [nb07v10.txt] 3557
Malice delights to blacken the characters of prominent men
Manufacturers of phrases
More glorious to merit a sceptre than to possess one
Necessary to let men and things take their course
MEMOIRS OF NAPOLEON, V8, by Bourrienne [nb08v10.txt] 3558
An old man's blessing never yet harmed any one
Buried for the purpose of being dug up
Kiss the feet of Popes provided their hands are tied
Something so seductive in popular enthusiasm ”

“ In 1813 he had the good feeling and the good sense to refuse the treacherous offer of the Allies to allow him to retain his kingdom if he joined them against his brother, a snare his sister Caroline fell into at Naples.
Having returned to private life solely on account of Fouche's presence in the Ministry, I yielded to that consolation which is always left to the discontented. I watched the extravagance and inconsistency that were passing around me, and the new follies which were every day committed ”

“ Act with our allies as if they were afterwards to be our enemies
Age in which one breathes well only after resting
All orders given by his Majesty were short, precise
As was his habit, criticised more than he praised
Borrowing, which uses up the resources of the future
Death is only asleep without dreams
Excessive desire to oblige
Fear of being suspected of cowardice was beneath them
For a retreating enemy it is necessary to make a bridge of gold
Frederick the Great: "No man is a hero to his valet"
Hair, arranged with charming negligence
His Majesty did not converse: he spoke. ”