--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A man does not have himself killed for a…" description: "\"A man does not have himself killed for a half-pence a day or for a petty distinction. You must speak to the soul in order to electrify him\" — Napoleon ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c7/napoleon-bonaparte-206_distinction_a-man-does-not-have-himself-killed-for-a_2885950.jpg" --- # A man does not have himself killed for a half-pence a day… ![“A man does not have himself killed for a half-pence a day or for a petty distinction. You must speak to the soul in order to electrify him” quote by Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c7/napoleon-bonaparte-206_distinction_a-man-does-not-have-himself-killed-for-a_2885950.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c7/napoleon-bonaparte-206_distinction_a-man-does-not-have-himself-killed-for-a_2885950.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c7/napoleon-bonaparte-206_distinction_a-man-does-not-have-himself-killed-for-a_2885950.jpg) > “A man does not have himself killed for a half-pence a day or for a petty distinction. You must speak to the soul in order to electrify him” [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. One should not sacrifice oneself for trivial gains; true influence comes from inspiring the soul, not material rewards. **In simple terms:** Don’t die for petty rewards; inspire the soul. Key Takeaway Seek meaningful impact over minor benefits. Themes purpose inspiration values leadership Mood motivational reflective Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - career - activism - personal development - public speaking Key Concepts philosophy ethics Questions to Reflect On - What inspires you deeply? - How can you motivate others without self‑sacrifice? A Different Perspective Risk of romanticizing sacrifice without practical plan. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Distinction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinction/) [Distinction Speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinction-speak-4025790/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Electrify](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/electrify-1420039/) [Half](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/half/) [Man Does](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-does/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak/) [Speak Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak-soul-472235/) ## Related quotes > [Change the scheme! Alter the mood! Electrify the boys and girls, if you'd be so kind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/change-the-scheme-alter-the-mood-electrify-the-boys-and-girls-if-you/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [And I've found that since you can't electrify yourself like a fence, the next best thing is to have murderer's eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/and-i-ve-found-that-since-you-can-t-electrify-yourself-like-a-fence/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [Electrify your life! With heating and cooling, cooking and travel, and you will be doing a lot to help the future of this planet.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ruffalo/electrify-your-life-with-heating-and-cooling-cooking-and-travel-and/) [Mark Ruffalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ruffalo/) > [Acquire the habit of speaking to God as if you were alone with Him, familiarly and with confidence and love, as to the dearest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonsus-liguori/acquire-the-habit-of-speaking-to-god-as-if-you-were-alone-with-him/) [Alphonsus Liguori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonsus-liguori/) > [A book can open the mind, free the heart, and speak to the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-ellis/a-book-can-open-the-mind-free-the-heart-and-speak-to-the-soul/) [Jason Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-ellis/) > [I can speak to my soul only when the two of us are off exploring deserts or cities or mountains or roads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/i-can-speak-to-my-soul-only-when-the-two-of-us-are-off-exploring/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“Love and intuition are both the language of the soul. Speak soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-livon/love-and-intuition-are-both-the-language-of-the-soul-speak-soul/) [Jodi Livon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-livon/) > [Think with your heart, speak with your soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-gibson/think-with-your-heart-speak-with-your-soul/) [Debbie Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-gibson/) > [Even across the dark, even across the loss, even across the emptiness, soul will speak to soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-fisher/even-across-the-dark-even-across-the-loss-even-across-the-emptiness/) [Catherine Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-fisher/) > [“There is a subtle yet profound difference between giving up and letting go' Just let go. Look at me, Moe seems to say. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ignatieff/there-is-a-subtle-yet-profound-difference-between-giving-up-and/) [Michael Ignatieff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ignatieff/) > [“I have so much to tell you. But time is short. And the Veil is thick. And it takes magic to speak, a soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainbow-rowell/i-have-so-much-to-tell-you-but-time-is-short-and-the-veil-is-thick/) [Rainbow Rowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainbow-rowell/) > [“Music is the one ultimate universal language to speak with every soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramona-matta/music-is-the-one-ultimate-universal-language-to-speak-with-every-soul/) [Ramona Matta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramona-matta/) > [“They say I'm half a man. What does that make the lot of you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/they-say-i-m-half-a-man-what-does-that-make-the-lot-of-you/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am. None who would do more to preserve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-man-does-not-live-who-is-more-devoted-to-peace-than-i-am-none-who/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“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/) ## 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 Distinction quotes > [I do think that theater is a great venue for science fiction, and not just adaptations but also original work. I also think some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-einhorn/i-do-think-that-theater-is-a-great-venue-for-science-fiction-and-not/) [Edward Einhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-einhorn/) > [The fact -- not theory -- that evolution has occurred and the Darwinian theory as to how it occurred have become so confused in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-gaylord-simpson/the-fact-not-theory-that-evolution-has-occurred-and-the-darwinian/) [George Gaylord Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-gaylord-simpson/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [If I have a system it is limited to a recognition of what Kierkegaard called 'the infinite qualitative distinction' between time and eternity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/if-i-have-a-system-it-is-limited-to-a-recognition-of-what-kierkegaard/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [“In your goals to go the extra mile, prepare to pay an extra cost. Excellence is to be exceptional, surpassing, more competent and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/in-your-goals-to-go-the-extra-mile-prepare-to-pay-an-extra-cost/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [I make no distinction between writing and storytelling; I've always wanted to tell stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damon-lindelof/i-make-no-distinction-between-writing-and-storytelling-i-ve-always/) [Damon Lindelof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damon-lindelof/) > [Where did you find that one?" "I have no idea. I'm a magnet for crazies, I guess." "They must be able to sense a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/where-did-you-find-that-one-i-have-no-idea-i-m-a-magnet-for-crazies-i/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [No people is wholly civilized where a distinction is drawn between stealing an office and stealing a purse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/no-people-is-wholly-civilized-where-a-distinction-is-drawn-between/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [I realized early on that the academy and the literary world alike - and I don't think there really is a distinction between the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-bloom/i-realized-early-on-that-the-academy-and-the-literary-world-alike-and/) [Harold Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-bloom/) > [Alfred Nobel stipulated that no distinction of race or colour will determine who received of his generosity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdus-salam/alfred-nobel-stipulated-that-no-distinction-of-race-or-colour-will/) [Abdus Salam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdus-salam/) > [I think it is important for all those young out there - who someday hope to play real football, where you throw it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kemp/i-think-it-is-important-for-all-those-young-out-there-who-someday/) [Jack Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kemp/) > [I've always longed for the theatre and acting to be popular. No actor wants to play to an empty house. We only do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-ve-always-longed-for-the-theatre-and-acting-to-be-popular-no-actor/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [There is no moral distinction between petty thievery and 'from each according to ability, to each according to need.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/there-is-no-moral-distinction-between-petty-thievery-and-from-each/) [Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/) > [People always make this totally artificial distinction between what is commercial and what is good. They quote that maxim "Nobody ever lost money underestimating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/people-always-make-this-totally-artificial-distinction-between-what/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [People should make distinctions between the office of the presidency and the person who occupies it. You can respect the office even as you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-greenberg/people-should-make-distinctions-between-the-office-of-the-presidency/) [David Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-greenberg/) [Browse all 1,181 Distinction quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinction/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A man does not have himself killed for a half-pence a day or for a petty distinction. 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