--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A throne is only a bench covered with…" description: "\"A throne is only a bench covered with velvet.\" — Napoleon Bonaparte" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/napoleon-bonaparte-206_covered_a-throne-is-only-a-bench-covered-with-ve_1757006.jpg" --- # A throne is only a bench covered with velvet. ![“A throne is only a bench covered with velvet.” quote by Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/napoleon-bonaparte-206_covered_a-throne-is-only-a-bench-covered-with-ve_1757006.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/napoleon-bonaparte-206_covered_a-throne-is-only-a-bench-covered-with-ve_1757006.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/napoleon-bonaparte-206_covered_a-throne-is-only-a-bench-covered-with-ve_1757006.jpg) > “A throne is only a bench covered with velvet.” [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. He likens a throne to a simple bench with a fancy cover, suggesting power is superficial. **In simple terms:** Power can be just appearance. Key Takeaway Look beyond titles. Themes power status perception Mood skeptical reflective Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - leadership meetings - media analysis - public discourse Key Concepts Symbolism humility political critique Questions to Reflect On - What truly defines authority? - How do symbols shape respect? A Different Perspective May oversimplify complex authority structures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king/) [Throne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/throne/) ## Related quotes > [“Kurushima and Inonaka, however, had grown up sheltered in their housing-development capsules, never directly encountering any cold walls. For them, the walls of control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masahiko-shimada/kurushima-and-inonaka-however-had-grown-up-sheltered-in-their-housing/) Masahiko Shimada > [What is a throne? - a bit of wood gilded and covered in velvet. I am the state- I alone am here the representative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/what-is-a-throne-a-bit-of-wood-gilded-and-covered-in-velvet-i-am-the/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [An empty throne always tempts me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/an-empty-throne-always-tempts-me/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [If they were starting their careers today, Rockwell and Picasso would probably both be painting on black velvet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-holland/if-they-were-starting-their-careers-today-rockwell-and-picasso-would/) [Brad Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-holland/) > [My family dumplings are sleek and seductive, yet stout and masculine. They taste of meat, yet of flour. They are wet, yet they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-p-t-coffin/my-family-dumplings-are-sleek-and-seductive-yet-stout-and-masculine/) Robert P. T. Coffin > [It's hard to imagine the whole punk movement without The Velvet Underground. I toured with them when they did their reunion tour, and no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-wareham/it-s-hard-to-imagine-the-whole-punk-movement-without-the-velvet/) [Dean Wareham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-wareham/) > [I wrapped my arms around my knees and stared through the window's wavy glass. The red velvet curtains were drawn around the tiny alcove,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/i-wrapped-my-arms-around-my-knees-and-stared-through-the-window-s/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [“As I enter the small intestine I get squeezed by muscles. Its dark and the walls look like slimey crushed velvet theres pancreas juice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-barry/as-i-enter-the-small-intestine-i-get-squeezed-by-muscles-its-dark-and/) [Lynda Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynda-barry/) > [The movie that made me want to make movies was "Blue Velvet."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-shainberg/the-movie-that-made-me-want-to-make-movies-was-blue-velvet/) [Steven Shainberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-shainberg/) > [When I was very little, I was into Michael Jackson. At six or seven, it was Madonna, but she's not what she used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lykke-li/when-i-was-very-little-i-was-into-michael-jackson-at-six-or-seven-it/) [Lykke Li](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lykke-li/) > [I grew up in the '90s. I listened to a lot of The Clash, Velvet Underground and Roxy Music. I wasn't into Boyzone, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-taylor-johnson/i-grew-up-in-the-90s-i-listened-to-a-lot-of-the-clash-velvet/) [Aaron Taylor-Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-taylor-johnson/) > [It is madness to wear ladies' straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/it-is-madness-to-wear-ladies-straw-hats-and-velvet-hats-to-church-we/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [Sam loved to listen to music and make his own songs, to wear soft velvets, to play in the castle kitchen beside the cooks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sam-loved-to-listen-to-music-and-make-his-own-songs-to-wear-soft/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Statuettes of drunken sailors, velvet pictures of island maidens, plastic seashell lamps made in Taiwan. What contempt the people who think up souvenirs have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-johnson/statuettes-of-drunken-sailors-velvet-pictures-of-island-maidens/) [Diane Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-johnson/) > [The sky was a sparkling succession of black diamonds on black velvet made crystal clear by the blackout.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/the-sky-was-a-sparkling-succession-of-black-diamonds-on-black-velvet/) [Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/) ## 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 Bench quotes > [They talking shit from the bench. Get in the god damn game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabolous/they-talking-shit-from-the-bench-get-in-the-god-damn-game/) Fabolous > [I've had times where I didn't play or came off the bench.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-green/i-ve-had-times-where-i-didn-t-play-or-came-off-the-bench/) [Danny Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-green/) > [When I was growing up, my dad didn't have weights, so he made himself a weight bench. Instead of a hand-me-down jacket, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-statham/when-i-was-growing-up-my-dad-didn-t-have-weights-so-he-made-himself-a/) [Jason Statham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-statham/) > [“Hygge happens when we commit to the pleasure of the present moment in its simplicity. It's there in the things we do that give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-thomsen-brits/hygge-happens-when-we-commit-to-the-pleasure-of-the-present-moment-in/) [Louisa Thomsen Brits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-thomsen-brits/) > [You don't want to be on the bench thinking, 'Why am I not playing?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/callum-hudson-odoi/you-don-t-want-to-be-on-the-bench-thinking-why-am-i-not-playing/) [Callum Hudson-Odoi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/callum-hudson-odoi/) > [I think you just have to be more aggressive when you come off the bench.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamal-crawford/i-think-you-just-have-to-be-more-aggressive-when-you-come-off-the/) [Jamal Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamal-crawford/) > [Truly, the bench is a boon to idlers. Whoever first came up with the idea is a genius: free public resting places where you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hodgkinson/truly-the-bench-is-a-boon-to-idlers-whoever-first-came-up-with-the/) [Tom Hodgkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hodgkinson/) > [Actually I think it's better for me to come off the bench, because for them first couple of minutes when that first five is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rasheed-wallace/actually-i-think-it-s-better-for-me-to-come-off-the-bench-because-for/) [Rasheed Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rasheed-wallace/) > [I wouldn't go to a club just to stay on the subs' bench.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-eriksen/i-wouldn-t-go-to-a-club-just-to-stay-on-the-subs-bench/) [Christian Eriksen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-eriksen/) > [I'm not one of those actors who romanticizes his trials working out and brags that he can bench press a panda now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/i-m-not-one-of-those-actors-who-romanticizes-his-trials-working-out/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [No one wants to sit the bench. I don't know a player that does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geno-smith/no-one-wants-to-sit-the-bench-i-don-t-know-a-player-that-does/) [Geno Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geno-smith/) > [I've been disappointed to be sat on the bench. But when you are left out it just makes you work harder the next day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-carroll/i-ve-been-disappointed-to-be-sat-on-the-bench-but-when-you-are-left/) [Andy Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-carroll/) > [“The judicial wheel is rounded with equality, oiled with honour and functions smoothly with honesty – principally when both members of the Bench and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munindra-misra/the-judicial-wheel-is-rounded-with-equality-oiled-with-honour-and/) [Munindra Misra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munindra-misra/) > [Israel has incredible entrepreneurial spirit and a deep bench of technology talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roelof-botha/israel-has-incredible-entrepreneurial-spirit-and-a-deep-bench-of/) [Roelof Botha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roelof-botha/) > [“He was on the bench for 36 years and had the girth to show it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodes-fishburne/he-was-on-the-bench-for-36-years-and-had-the-girth-to-show-it/) Rodes Fishburne Browse all 337 Bench quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A throne is only a bench covered with velvet.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Napoleon Bonaparte" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/a-throne-is-only-a-bench-covered-with-velvet/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bench" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/a-throne-is-only-a-bench-covered-with-velvet/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/napoleon-bonaparte-206_covered_a-throne-is-only-a-bench-covered-with-ve_1757006.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/napoleon-bonaparte-206_covered_a-throne-is-only-a-bench-covered-with-ve_1757006.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/napoleon-bonaparte-206_covered_a-throne-is-only-a-bench-covered-with-ve_1757006.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A throne is only a bench covered with velvet.” — 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 throne is only a bench...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/a-throne-is-only-a-bench-covered-with-velvet/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/a-throne-is-only-a-bench-covered-with-velvet/#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 } } ] } ```