--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A king is sometimes obliged to commit…" description: "\"A king is sometimes obliged to commit crimes; but they are the crimes of his position.\" — Napoleon Bonaparte" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1aa/napoleon-bonaparte-206_commit_a-king-is-sometimes-obliged-to-commit-cr_1009620.jpg" --- # A king is sometimes obliged to commit crimes; but they are… ![“A king is sometimes obliged to commit crimes; but they are the crimes of his position.” quote by Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1aa/napoleon-bonaparte-206_commit_a-king-is-sometimes-obliged-to-commit-cr_1009620.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1aa/napoleon-bonaparte-206_commit_a-king-is-sometimes-obliged-to-commit-cr_1009620.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1aa/napoleon-bonaparte-206_commit_a-king-is-sometimes-obliged-to-commit-cr_1009620.jpg) > “A king is sometimes obliged to commit crimes; but they are the crimes of his position.” [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leaders may commit acts that are morally questionable but justified by their role. **In simple terms:** Power can force unethical actions. Key Takeaway Consider ethical limits of authority. Themes leadership morality power Mood serious reflective Type political philosophical When to use this quote - government decisions - military orders - corporate strategy Key Concepts political theory ethics Questions to Reflect On - When is it acceptable for a leader to break rules? - How can accountability be ensured? A Different Perspective Justifying wrongdoing can erode legitimacy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Crimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crimes/) [King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king/) [Kings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kings/) ## Related quotes > [The worst crimes; are the crimes of the heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/the-worst-crimes-are-the-crimes-of-the-heart/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [People who commit crimes should be responsible for those crimes. It doesn't matter whether they're priests or ministers or atheists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ashcroft/people-who-commit-crimes-should-be-responsible-for-those-crimes-it/) [John Ashcroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ashcroft/) > [The United States isn't a dictatorship ruling with a brutal army and an iron fist, so our police departments must understand that they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-sharpton/the-united-states-isn-t-a-dictatorship-ruling-with-a-brutal-army-and/) [Al Sharpton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-sharpton/) > [Penalties serve to deter those who are not inclined to commit any crimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/penalties-serve-to-deter-those-who-are-not-inclined-to-commit-any/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [I don't have to commit crimes, I don't have to do anything like that to try and make money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bugzy-malone/i-don-t-have-to-commit-crimes-i-don-t-have-to-do-anything-like-that/) [Bugzy Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bugzy-malone/) > [I'm interested in people who are very close to the people who commit crimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-peet/i-m-interested-in-people-who-are-very-close-to-the-people-who-commit/) [Amanda Peet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-peet/) > [If you had enough money, you could hardly commit crimes at all. You just perpetrated amusing little peccadilloes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/if-you-had-enough-money-you-could-hardly-commit-crimes-at-all-you/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [I think that far too often we let those who commit crimes in our society off far too lightly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-grayling/i-think-that-far-too-often-we-let-those-who-commit-crimes-in-our/) [Chris Grayling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-grayling/) > [“we are waiting and waiting and doing nothing, until it is too late, and they commit crimes so serious that all society wants to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-humes/we-are-waiting-and-waiting-and-doing-nothing-until-it-is-too-late-and/) [Edward Humes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-humes/) > [We're living in times where men commit crimes and crime don't have a face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/we-re-living-in-times-where-men-commit-crimes-and-crime-don-t-have-a/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [I don't commit any crimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sulli/i-don-t-commit-any-crimes/) [Sulli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sulli/) > [Companies do not commit crimes; only their agents do. And while a company might get the benefit of some such crimes, prosecuting the company…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-s-rakoff/companies-do-not-commit-crimes-only-their-agents-do-and-while-a/) [Jed S. Rakoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-s-rakoff/) > [“Family: a safe place to commit crimes. - K Yearwood”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-yearwood/family-a-safe-place-to-commit-crimes-k-yearwood/) Kathleen Yearwood > [Collective crimes incriminate no one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/collective-crimes-incriminate-no-one/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [Take a dose of medicine once, and in all probability you will be obliged to take an additional hundred afterwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/take-a-dose-of-medicine-once-and-in-all-probability-you-will-be/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) ## More by Napoleon Bonaparte > [He is almost a statesman. He lies well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/he-is-almost-a-statesman-he-lies-well/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [Men grow old quickly on the battlefield.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/men-grow-old-quickly-on-the-battlefield/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [The only victories which leave no regret are those which are gained over ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/the-only-victories-which-leave-no-regret-are-those-which-are-gained/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [When a government is dependent upon bankers for money, they and not the leaders of the government control the situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/when-a-government-is-dependent-upon-bankers-for-money-they-and-not/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [In the eyes of empire builders men are not men but instruments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/in-the-eyes-of-empire-builders-men-are-not-men-but-instruments/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [All becomes easy when we follow the current of opinion; it is the ruler of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/all-becomes-easy-when-we-follow-the-current-of-opinion-it-is-the/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [The bullet that will kill me is not yet cast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/the-bullet-that-will-kill-me-is-not-yet-cast/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [Anarchy is the stepping stone to absolute power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/anarchy-is-the-stepping-stone-to-absolute-power/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [A great reputation is a great noise, the more there is of it, and the further does it swell. Land, monuments, Nations, all fall,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/a-great-reputation-is-a-great-noise-the-more-there-is-of-it-and-the/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [Character is victory organized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/character-is-victory-organized/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [Republican despotism is more fertile in acts of tyranny, because everyone has a hand in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/republican-despotism-is-more-fertile-in-acts-of-tyranny-because/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [My decision to destroy the authority of the blacks in Saint Domingue (Haiti) is not so much based on considerations of commerce and money,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/my-decision-to-destroy-the-authority-of-the-blacks-in-saint-domingue/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [The army is the true nobility of our country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/the-army-is-the-true-nobility-of-our-country/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [There is only one favorable moment in war; talent consists in knowing how to seize it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/there-is-only-one-favorable-moment-in-war-talent-consists-in-knowing/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [A great reserve and severity of manners are necessary for the command of those who are older than ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/a-great-reserve-and-severity-of-manners-are-necessary-for-the-command/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) [Explore all 914 Napoleon Bonaparte quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) ## More Commit quotes > [I'm Catholic and I can't commit suicide, but I plan to drink myself to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/i-m-catholic-and-i-can-t-commit-suicide-but-i-plan-to-drink-myself-to/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [Progress is the injustice each generation commits with regard to its predecessors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/progress-is-the-injustice-each-generation-commits-with-regard-to-its/) [Emile M. 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I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giancarlo-esposito/i-like-to-always-wash-the-slate-clean-and-reinvigorate-my-spirit-to/) [Giancarlo Esposito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giancarlo-esposito/) > [He who believes in God is not careful for the morrow, but labors joyfully and with a great heart. "For He giveth His beloved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/he-who-believes-in-god-is-not-careful-for-the-morrow-but-labors/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [You get a script and you love it. You find a director that you trust, and it becomes all about how do I commit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-van-der-beek/you-get-a-script-and-you-love-it-you-find-a-director-that-you-trust/) [James Van Der Beek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-van-der-beek/) > [Ok, look. I'm honest. Girl I can't lie I miss you. You and the music were the only things that I'd commit to](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/ok-look-i-m-honest-girl-i-can-t-lie-i-miss-you-you-and-the-music-were/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [One should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xi/one-should-not-withdraw-from-individuals-and-commit-to-the-community/) [Pope Pius XI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xi/) > [A man must commit a crime at least once in his life-time. Only then will his virtue be recognized](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/girish-karnad/a-man-must-commit-a-crime-at-least-once-in-his-life-time-only-then/) Girish Karnad > [“A man, who does not commit an evil act either, has no opportunity or the stomach.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/a-man-who-does-not-commit-an-evil-act-either-has-no-opportunity-or/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [One day I may commit to a city and settle down and do the restaurant thing - when I'm ready and however and whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-kish/one-day-i-may-commit-to-a-city-and-settle-down-and-do-the-restaurant/) Kristen Kish > [Love and commit. Not hit and quit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jhecky/love-and-commit-not-hit-and-quit/) [Jhecky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jhecky/) Browse all 1,824 Commit quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A king is sometimes obliged to commit crimes; but they are the crimes of his position.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Napoleon Bonaparte" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/a-king-is-sometimes-obliged-to-commit-crimes-but-they-are-the-crimes/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Commit" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/a-king-is-sometimes-obliged-to-commit-crimes-but-they-are-the-crimes/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1aa/napoleon-bonaparte-206_commit_a-king-is-sometimes-obliged-to-commit-cr_1009620.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1aa/napoleon-bonaparte-206_commit_a-king-is-sometimes-obliged-to-commit-cr_1009620.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1aa/napoleon-bonaparte-206_commit_a-king-is-sometimes-obliged-to-commit-cr_1009620.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A king is sometimes obliged to commit crimes; but they are the crimes of his position.” — Napoleon Bonaparte", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Napoleon Bonaparte", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A king is sometimes obliged to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/a-king-is-sometimes-obliged-to-commit-crimes-but-they-are-the-crimes/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/a-king-is-sometimes-obliged-to-commit-crimes-but-they-are-the-crimes/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```