--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is impossible that had Buonaparte…" description: "\"It is impossible that had Buonaparte descended from a race of vegetable feeders that he could have had either the inclination or the power to ascend th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38d/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_bourbon_it-is-impossible-that-had-buonaparte-des_2476500.jpg" --- # It is impossible that had Buonaparte descended from a race… ![“It is impossible that had Buonaparte descended from a race of vegetable feeders that he could have had either the inclination or the power to ascend the throne of the Bourbons.” quote by Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38d/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_bourbon_it-is-impossible-that-had-buonaparte-des_2476500.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38d/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_bourbon_it-is-impossible-that-had-buonaparte-des_2476500.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38d/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_bourbon_it-is-impossible-that-had-buonaparte-des_2476500.jpg) > “It is impossible that had Buonaparte descended from a race of vegetable feeders that he could have had either the inclination or the power to ascend the throne of the Bourbons.” [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Shelley mocks the idea that a ruler could arise from a lowly background, emphasizing the absurdity of such lineage claims. **In simple terms:** He ridicules the notion that a low-born could become a powerful king. Key Takeaway Question the logic of hereditary superiority. Themes politics class satire Mood skeptical ironic critical Type satirical political historical When to use this quote - historical analysis - political debate - education curricula - media commentary Key Concepts aristocracy legitimacy social mobility Questions to Reflect On - How do we assess leadership beyond birthright? - What role does social class play in modern politics? A Different Perspective The argument assumes a simplistic view of power dynamics, ignoring merit and circumstance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bourbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bourbon/) [Buonaparte Descended](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buonaparte-descended-816198/) [Descended Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/descended-race-816200/) [Impossible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impossible/) [Impossible Buonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impossible-buonaparte-816197/) [Inclination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inclination/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Throne Bourbons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/throne-bourbons-816199/) [Thrones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thrones/) [Vegetables](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vegetables/) ## Related quotes > [“Bourbon, Kentucky bourbon especially, is like Dante’s Inferno in a glass, fire walks down your throat, lungs, and heart and everything in between with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-crown/bourbon-kentucky-bourbon-especially-is-like-dante-s-inferno-in-a/) [Bruce Crown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-crown/) > [Now we may have more preachers out there than we have drinkers. But a fellow told me a story one time about a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/now-we-may-have-more-preachers-out-there-than-we-have-drinkers-but-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Take a lover who looks at you like maybe you are a bourbon biscuit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frida-kahlo/take-a-lover-who-looks-at-you-like-maybe-you-are-a-bourbon-biscuit/) [Frida Kahlo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frida-kahlo/) > [The only way that I could figure they could improve upon Coca-Cola, one of life's most delightful elixirs, which studies prove will heal the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-grizzard/the-only-way-that-i-could-figure-they-could-improve-upon-coca-cola/) [Lewis Grizzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-grizzard/) > [It had occurred to Sean once - on a bender about ten years before with some buddies, Sean and a bloodstream full of bourbon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/it-had-occurred-to-sean-once-on-a-bender-about-ten-years-before-with/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [I'm not out there screaming that women are drinking bourbon, but I think it's a great beverage as an option. I've got nothing against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mila-kunis/i-m-not-out-there-screaming-that-women-are-drinking-bourbon-but-i/) [Mila Kunis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mila-kunis/) > [“But first, I needed to go to the liquor store and buy a bottle of Jack. I didn’t drink Jack but I thought now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/but-first-i-needed-to-go-to-the-liquor-store-and-buy-a-bottle-of-jack/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [“He was a late night shot of bourbon the taste of him left me burning with mouth on fire body full of desire.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-lee/he-was-a-late-night-shot-of-bourbon-the-taste-of-him-left-me-burning/) [Melody Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-lee/) > [I couldn't wait to see you smile but all I saw were tears in your pretty eyes and that said it all It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brantley-gilbert/i-couldn-t-wait-to-see-you-smile-but-all-i-saw-were-tears-in-your/) [Brantley Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brantley-gilbert/) > [Between 9 and 10 AM the American radio is concerned almost exclusively with love. It seems a little like ending breakfast with a stiff bourbon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/between-9-and-10-am-the-american-radio-is-concerned-almost/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [Let us candidly admit that there are shameful blemishes on the American past, of which the worst by far is rum. Nevertheless, we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-devoto/let-us-candidly-admit-that-there-are-shameful-blemishes-on-the/) [Bernard DeVoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-devoto/) > [I'm old school. I was taught that ice was for bourbon, not for your arm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-beck/i-m-old-school-i-was-taught-that-ice-was-for-bourbon-not-for-your-arm/) [Rod Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-beck/) > [“The bourbon goes into the recipe, Miss Connor, not into you,” he’d said from directly behind me. He had a way of doing that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-lyn/the-bourbon-goes-into-the-recipe-miss-connor-not-into-you-he-d-said/) [Jenny Lyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-lyn/) > [One of the best moments I've ever had in New Orleans is seeing Bourbon Street filled on a weekend night not long ago. Just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-nagin/one-of-the-best-moments-i-ve-ever-had-in-new-orleans-is-seeing/) [Ray Nagin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-nagin/) > [ I wouldn't want them \[kids\] to raid my liquor cabinet and glug down my bourbon either. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheech-marin/i-wouldn-t-want-them-kids-to-raid-my-liquor-cabinet-and-glug-down-my/) [Cheech Marin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheech-marin/) ## More by Percy Bysshe Shelley > [The everlasting universe of things Flows through the mind, and rolls its rapid waves, Now dark--now glittering--now reflecting gloom-- Now lending splendour, where from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-everlasting-universe-of-things-flows-through-the-mind-and-rolls/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [The quick Dreams, The passion-winged Ministers of thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-quick-dreams-the-passion-winged-ministers-of-thought/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/hail-to-thee-blithe-spirit/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [The jealous keys of truth's eternal doors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-jealous-keys-of-truth-s-eternal-doors/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [“Though we eat little flesh and drink no wine, Yet let's be merry; we'll have tea and toast; Custards for supper, and an endless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/though-we-eat-little-flesh-and-drink-no-wine-yet-let-s-be-merry-we-ll/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [A dream has power to poison sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/a-dream-has-power-to-poison-sleep/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Titles are tinsel, power a corrupter, glorya bubble, and excessive wealth a libel on its possessor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/titles-are-tinsel-power-a-corrupter-glorya-bubble-and-excessive/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [“I fall upon the thorns of life! I bleed !”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/i-fall-upon-the-thorns-of-life-i-bleed/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [“Poets and philosophers are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/poets-and-philosophers-are-the-unacknowledged-legislators-of-the-world/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Dar'st thou amid the varied multitude To live alone, an isolated thing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/dar-st-thou-amid-the-varied-multitude-to-live-alone-an-isolated-thing/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Spirit of BEAUTY, that dost consecrate With thine own hues all thou dost shine upon Of human thought or form, where art thou gone?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/spirit-of-beauty-that-dost-consecrate-with-thine-own-hues-all-thou/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [I love tranquil solitude, And such society As is quiet, wise, and good; Between thee and me What difference? but thou dost possess The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/i-love-tranquil-solitude-and-such-society-as-is-quiet-wise-and-good/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [The practice of utter sincerity towards other men would avail to no good end, if they were incapable of practising it towards their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-practice-of-utter-sincerity-towards-other-men-would-avail-to-no/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Thou shoreless flood, which in thy ebb and flow claspest the limits of mortality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/thou-shoreless-flood-which-in-thy-ebb-and-flow-claspest-the-limits-of/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Senseless is the breast and cold Which relenting love would fold; Bloodless are the veins and chill Which the pulse of pain did fill;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/senseless-is-the-breast-and-cold-which-relenting-love-would-fold/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) [Explore all 533 Percy Bysshe Shelley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) ## More Bourbon quotes > [“Bourbon, Kentucky bourbon especially, is like Dante’s Inferno in a glass, fire walks down your throat, lungs, and heart and everything in between with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-crown/bourbon-kentucky-bourbon-especially-is-like-dante-s-inferno-in-a/) [Bruce Crown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-crown/) > [One of the best moments I've ever had in New Orleans is seeing Bourbon Street filled on a weekend night not long ago. Just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-nagin/one-of-the-best-moments-i-ve-ever-had-in-new-orleans-is-seeing/) [Ray Nagin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-nagin/) > [“The bourbon goes into the recipe, Miss Connor, not into you,” he’d said from directly behind me. He had a way of doing that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-lyn/the-bourbon-goes-into-the-recipe-miss-connor-not-into-you-he-d-said/) [Jenny Lyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-lyn/) > [I'm old school. I was taught that ice was for bourbon, not for your arm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-beck/i-m-old-school-i-was-taught-that-ice-was-for-bourbon-not-for-your-arm/) [Rod Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-beck/) > [Let us candidly admit that there are shameful blemishes on the American past, of which the worst by far is rum. Nevertheless, we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-devoto/let-us-candidly-admit-that-there-are-shameful-blemishes-on-the/) [Bernard DeVoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-devoto/) > [Between 9 and 10 AM the American radio is concerned almost exclusively with love. It seems a little like ending breakfast with a stiff bourbon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/between-9-and-10-am-the-american-radio-is-concerned-almost/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [I couldn't wait to see you smile but all I saw were tears in your pretty eyes and that said it all It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brantley-gilbert/i-couldn-t-wait-to-see-you-smile-but-all-i-saw-were-tears-in-your/) [Brantley Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brantley-gilbert/) > [“He was a late night shot of bourbon the taste of him left me burning with mouth on fire body full of desire.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-lee/he-was-a-late-night-shot-of-bourbon-the-taste-of-him-left-me-burning/) [Melody Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-lee/) > [“But first, I needed to go to the liquor store and buy a bottle of Jack. I didn’t drink Jack but I thought now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/but-first-i-needed-to-go-to-the-liquor-store-and-buy-a-bottle-of-jack/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [I'm not out there screaming that women are drinking bourbon, but I think it's a great beverage as an option. I've got nothing against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mila-kunis/i-m-not-out-there-screaming-that-women-are-drinking-bourbon-but-i/) [Mila Kunis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mila-kunis/) > [It had occurred to Sean once - on a bender about ten years before with some buddies, Sean and a bloodstream full of bourbon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/it-had-occurred-to-sean-once-on-a-bender-about-ten-years-before-with/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [The only way that I could figure they could improve upon Coca-Cola, one of life's most delightful elixirs, which studies prove will heal the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-grizzard/the-only-way-that-i-could-figure-they-could-improve-upon-coca-cola/) [Lewis Grizzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-grizzard/) > [Take a lover who looks at you like maybe you are a bourbon biscuit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frida-kahlo/take-a-lover-who-looks-at-you-like-maybe-you-are-a-bourbon-biscuit/) [Frida Kahlo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frida-kahlo/) > [Now we may have more preachers out there than we have drinkers. But a fellow told me a story one time about a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/now-we-may-have-more-preachers-out-there-than-we-have-drinkers-but-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ I wouldn't want them \[kids\] to raid my liquor cabinet and glug down my bourbon either. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheech-marin/i-wouldn-t-want-them-kids-to-raid-my-liquor-cabinet-and-glug-down-my/) [Cheech Marin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheech-marin/) [Browse all 89 Bourbon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bourbon/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is impossible that had Buonaparte descended from a race of vegetable feeders that he could have had either the inclination or the power to ascend the throne of the Bourbons.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Percy Bysshe Shelley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/it-is-impossible-that-had-buonaparte-descended-from-a-race-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bourbon" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/it-is-impossible-that-had-buonaparte-descended-from-a-race-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38d/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_bourbon_it-is-impossible-that-had-buonaparte-des_2476500.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38d/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_bourbon_it-is-impossible-that-had-buonaparte-des_2476500.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38d/percy-bysshe-shelley-476_bourbon_it-is-impossible-that-had-buonaparte-des_2476500.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is impossible that had Buonaparte descended from a race of vegetable feeders that he could have had…” — Percy Bysshe Shelley", "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": "Percy Bysshe Shelley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is impossible that had Buonaparte...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/it-is-impossible-that-had-buonaparte-descended-from-a-race-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/it-is-impossible-that-had-buonaparte-descended-from-a-race-of/#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 } } ] } ```