--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When Wellington thrashed Bonaparte, As…" description: "\"When Wellington thrashed Bonaparte, As every child can tell, The House of Peers, throughout the war, Did nothing in particular, And did it very well\" —..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aca/w-s-gilbert-8102_bonaparte_when-wellington-thrashed-bonaparte-as-ev_2745583.jpg" --- # When Wellington thrashed Bonaparte, As every child can… ![“When Wellington thrashed Bonaparte, As every child can tell, The House of Peers, throughout the war, Did nothing in particular, And did it very well” quote by W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aca/w-s-gilbert-8102_bonaparte_when-wellington-thrashed-bonaparte-as-ev_2745583.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aca/w-s-gilbert-8102_bonaparte_when-wellington-thrashed-bonaparte-as-ev_2745583.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aca/w-s-gilbert-8102_bonaparte_when-wellington-thrashed-bonaparte-as-ev_2745583.jpg) > “When Wellington thrashed Bonaparte, As every child can tell, The House of Peers, throughout the war, Did nothing in particular, And did it very well” [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even when others are idle, some excel and fulfill duties well. **In simple terms:** Some succeed despite others' inaction. Key Takeaway Value diligence over complacency. Themes achievement responsibility war leadership Mood critical analytical Type historical inspirational When to use this quote - military strategy - team dynamics - personal productivity Key Concepts History satire motivation Questions to Reflect On - What does true competence look like? - How do we recognize quiet excellence? A Different Perspective May romanticize war. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bonaparte/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wellington/) ## Related quotes > [The House of Peers, throughout the war, did nothing in particular, and did it very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilbert/the-house-of-peers-throughout-the-war-did-nothing-in-particular-and-2/) [William Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilbert/) > [The House of Peers, throughout the war, Did nothing in particular, And did it very well: Yet Britain set the world ablaze In good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/the-house-of-peers-throughout-the-war-did-nothing-in-particular-and/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [I was born on Wellington Avenue and my family that remains lives in the Lake Shore Drive area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-balaban/i-was-born-on-wellington-avenue-and-my-family-that-remains-lives-in/) [Bob Balaban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-balaban/) > [If we strike a line to the N.W. from Sydney to Wellington Valley, we shall find that little change takes place in the geological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-sturt/if-we-strike-a-line-to-the-n-w-from-sydney-to-wellington-valley-we/) [Charles Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-sturt/) > [I have three favorite cities: London, Wellington, and Los Angeles. What makes them so good? The friends who live there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-mccarten/i-have-three-favorite-cities-london-wellington-and-los-angeles-what/) [Anthony McCarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-mccarten/) > [I had a strong sudden instinct that I must be alone. I didn’t want to see any people at all. I had seen so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/i-had-a-strong-sudden-instinct-that-i-must-be-alone-i-didn-t-want-to/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [Is it true or false that Belfast is north of London? That the galaxy is the shape of a fried egg? That Beethoven was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-austin/is-it-true-or-false-that-belfast-is-north-of-london-that-the-galaxy/) [J. L. Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-austin/) > [It's rather an exhilarating feeling. It's 6 or 7 when you get up and go out into the fields wearing your Wellingtons or high…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-brodsky/it-s-rather-an-exhilarating-feeling-it-s-6-or-7-when-you-get-up-and/) [Joseph Brodsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-brodsky/) > [I'm staunch. If you are lucky enough to be able to play for your country, it seems to make you even prouder of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-mexted/i-m-staunch-if-you-are-lucky-enough-to-be-able-to-play-for-your/) [Murray Mexted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-mexted/) > [It isnt only fictional heroes to whom toast means home and comfort. It is related of the Duke of Wellington - I believe by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-david/it-isnt-only-fictional-heroes-to-whom-toast-means-home-and-comfort-it/) [Elizabeth David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-david/) > [We started out as boss and player, and Wellington was almost like my father.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gifford/we-started-out-as-boss-and-player-and-wellington-was-almost-like-my/) [Frank Gifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gifford/) > [The Duke of Wellington brought to the post of first minister immortal fame,-a quality of success which would almost seem to include all others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/the-duke-of-wellington-brought-to-the-post-of-first-minister-immortal/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [“I am made for autumn. Summer and I have a fickle relationship, but everything about autumn is perfect to me. Wooly jumpers, Wellington boot,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alys-fowler/i-am-made-for-autumn-summer-and-i-have-a-fickle-relationship-but/) Alys Fowler > [I miss the city Bret and I live in, Wellington. It's a good place to be creative, in the same way New York is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jemaine-clement/i-miss-the-city-bret-and-i-live-in-wellington-it-s-a-good-place-to-be/) [Jemaine Clement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jemaine-clement/) > [He passes, struck by the stare of truculent Wellington but in the convex mirror grin unstruck the bonham eyes and fatchuck cheekchops of Jollypoldy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/he-passes-struck-by-the-stare-of-truculent-wellington-but-in-the/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) ## More by W. S. Gilbert > [The Law is the true embodiment of everything that's excellent; it has no kind of fault or flaw and I, my Lords, embody the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/the-law-is-the-true-embodiment-of-everything-that-s-excellent-it-has/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [A man is but an ass Who fights in a cuirass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/a-man-is-but-an-ass-who-fights-in-a-cuirass/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [I love my fellow creatures - I do all the good I can - yet everybody says I'm such a disagreeable man!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/i-love-my-fellow-creatures-i-do-all-the-good-i-can-yet-everybody-says/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [The idiot who praises, with enthusiastic tone, All centuries but this, and every country but his own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/the-idiot-who-praises-with-enthusiastic-tone-all-centuries-but-this/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [And that singular anomaly, the lady novelist-- I don't think she'd be missed--I'm sure she'd not be missed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/and-that-singular-anomaly-the-lady-novelist-i-don-t-think-she-d-be/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [I am the Captain of the Pinafore ; And a right good captain too! . . . . And I'm never, never sick at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/i-am-the-captain-of-the-pinafore-and-a-right-good-captain-too-and-i-m/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [There's a fascination frantic in a ruin that's romantic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/there-s-a-fascination-frantic-in-a-ruin-that-s-romantic/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [Utopia's quite another land; In her enterprising movements, She is England--with improvements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/utopia-s-quite-another-land-in-her-enterprising-movements-she-is/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [Is life a boon? If so, it must befall That Death, whene'er he call, Must call too soon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/is-life-a-boon-if-so-it-must-befall-that-death-whene-er-he-call-must/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [every Jack He must study the knack If he wants to make sure of his Jill!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/every-jack-he-must-study-the-knack-if-he-wants-to-make-sure-of-his/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [If I can wheedle A knife or a needle, Why not a Silver Churn?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/if-i-can-wheedle-a-knife-or-a-needle-why-not-a-silver-churn/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [All bayonets are bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/all-bayonets-are-bad/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [The happiest hour a sailor sees Is when he's down At an inland town, With his Nancy on his knees, yo ho! And his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/the-happiest-hour-a-sailor-sees-is-when-he-s-down-at-an-inland-town/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [For duty, duty must be done; The rule applies to everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/for-duty-duty-must-be-done-the-rule-applies-to-everyone/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [Then a sentimental passion of a vegetable fashion must excite your languid spleen, An attachment a la Plato for a bashful young potato, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-gilbert/then-a-sentimental-passion-of-a-vegetable-fashion-must-excite-your/) [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) [Explore all 84 W. S. Gilbert quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) ## More Bonaparte quotes > [“Never interfere with an enemy while he’s in the process of destroying himself.’ Napoleon Bonaparte”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashwin-sanghi/never-interfere-with-an-enemy-while-he-s-in-the-process-of-destroying/) [Ashwin Sanghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashwin-sanghi/) > [“Amy wondered if Bonaparte could declare war on Miss Gwen alone without breaking his peace with England”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-willig/amy-wondered-if-bonaparte-could-declare-war-on-miss-gwen-alone/) [Lauren Willig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-willig/) > [“The aggressor is always peace-loving (as Bonaparte always claimed to be); he would prefer to take over our country unopposed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/the-aggressor-is-always-peace-loving-as-bonaparte-always-claimed-to/) [Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/) > [The three-o'-clock in the morning courage, which Bonaparte thought was the rarest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-three-o-clock-in-the-morning-courage-which-bonaparte-thought-was/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“By common consent the eminent man of the time was Napoleon Bonaparte, the revolution queller, the burgher sovereign, the imperial democrat, the supreme captain,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-milligan-sloane/by-common-consent-the-eminent-man-of-the-time-was-napoleon-bonaparte/) William Milligan Sloane > [Linnæus, setting out for Lapland, surveys his "comb" and "spare shirt," "leathern breeches" and "gauze cap to keep off gnats," with as much complacency…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/linn-us-setting-out-for-lapland-surveys-his-comb-and-spare-shirt/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Suppose someone sits down where you are sitting right now and announces to me that he is Napoleon Bonaparte. The last thing I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-solow/suppose-someone-sits-down-where-you-are-sitting-right-now-and/) [Robert Solow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-solow/) > [Our faith in democracy, personal freedoms and human 'rights', and the other comforting prescriptions of the humanist liberal credo stem from the supremacy of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-padfield/our-faith-in-democracy-personal-freedoms-and-human-rights-and-the/) [Peter Padfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-padfield/) > [“but Bonaparte when he worked went step by step toward his goal. He was free, he had nothing but his aim to consider, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-bonaparte-when-he-worked-went-step-by-step-toward-his-goal-he-was/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Anyone who clings to the historically untrue-and thoroughly immoral-doctrine that, 'violence never settles anything' I would advise to conjure the ghosts of Napoleon Bonaparte…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/anyone-who-clings-to-the-historically-untrue-and-thoroughly-immoral/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [It would scarcely be destruction," he replied gently. "Let us call it iconoclasm, the swallowing of formulas, which has always had its full retinue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-buchan/it-would-scarcely-be-destruction-he-replied-gently-let-us-call-it/) [John Buchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-buchan/) > [I always thought I was Jeanne d'Arc and Bonaparte. How little one knows oneself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-de-gaulle/i-always-thought-i-was-jeanne-d-arc-and-bonaparte-how-little-one/) [Charles de Gaulle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-de-gaulle/) > [“Could it be that the great Bonaparte is incapable of fathering a child? that it is not I who am at fault but you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolly-erickson/could-it-be-that-the-great-bonaparte-is-incapable-of-fathering-a/) Carolly Erickson > [Political scientists have often described Gaullism as a sort of Bonapartism. I myself have occasionally compared Sarkozy to Napoleon Bonaparte.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-gallo/political-scientists-have-often-described-gaullism-as-a-sort-of/) [Max Gallo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-gallo/) > [Was it possible that Napoleon should win the battle of Waterloo? We answer, No! Why? Because of Wellington? Because of Blucher? No! Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/was-it-possible-that-napoleon-should-win-the-battle-of-waterloo-we/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) [Browse all 37 Bonaparte quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bonaparte/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When Wellington thrashed Bonaparte, As every child can tell, The House of Peers, throughout the war, Did nothing in particular, And did it very well", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "W. S. 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