In war there is but one favorable moment; the great art is to seize it! — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
Treaties are observed as long as they are in harmony with interests. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
Every means should be taken to attach the soldier to his colours. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
If they want peace, nations should avoid the pin-pricks that precede cannon shots. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
The mind of a general ought to resemble and be as clear as the field-glass of a telescope. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
In the eyes of empire builders men are not men but instruments. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
In war, moral factors acount for three quarters of the whole; relative material strength accounts for only one quarter. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
Those who have changed the universe have never done it by changing officials, but always by inspiring the people. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
War is not at all such a difficult art as people think. . . . In reality it would seem that he… — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
The basic principle that we must follow in directing the armies of the Republic is this: that they must feed themselves on… — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
In war, three-quarters turns on personal character and relations; the balance of manpower and materials counts only for the remaining quarter. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
In war, the general alone can judge of certain arrangements. It depends on him alone to conquer difficulties by his own superior… — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
If the art of war were nothing but the art of avoiding risks, glory would become the prey of mediocre minds… I… — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
The object of war is victory, the object of victory is conquest, and the object of conquest is occupation. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
In war, the moral element and public opinion are half the battle. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
There is only one favorable moment in war; talent consists in knowing how to seize it. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
In war, character and opinion make more than half of the reality. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
War is a lottery in which nations ought to risk nothing but small amounts. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
The first quality of a soldier is constancy in enduring fatigue and hardship. Courage is only the second. Poverty privation and want… — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
Artillery is more essential to cavalry than to infantry, because cavalry has no fire for its defence, but depends on the sabre. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
War must be made as intense and awful as possible in order to make it short, and thus to diminish its horrors. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
What my enemies call a general peace is my destruction. What I call peace is merely the disarmament of my enemies. Am… — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
In war, as in politics, no evil - even if it is permissible under the rules - is excusable unless it is… — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
An army must have but one line of operations. This must be maintained with care and abandoned only for major reasons. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
The worse the man the better the soldier. If soldiers be not corrupt they ought to be made so. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
An army's effectiveness depends on its size, training, experience, and morale, and morale is worth more than any of the other factors… — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
The spectacle of a field of battle after the combat, is sufficient to inspire Princes with the love of peace, and the… — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
It is easy to know when a government wishes for peace by observing the character of the person sent to negotiate for… — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
There are certain things in war of which the commander alone comprehends the importance. Nothing but his superior firmness and ability can… — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share Image
The only victories which leave no regret are those which are gained over ignorance. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share
When a government is dependent upon bankers for money, they and not the leaders of the government control the situation — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share
All becomes easy when we follow the current of opinion; it is the ruler of the world. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share
A great reputation is a great noise, the more there is of it, and the further does it swell. Land, monuments, Nations, all fall,… — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share
Republican despotism is more fertile in acts of tyranny, because everyone has a hand in it. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share
My decision to destroy the authority of the blacks in Saint Domingue (Haiti) is not so much based on considerations of commerce and money,… — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share
There is only one favorable moment in war; talent consists in knowing how to seize it. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share
A great reserve and severity of manners are necessary for the command of those who are older than ourselves. — Napoleon Bonaparte Copy Share
