General Quotes

“I have so often been mistaken that I no longer blush for it”

“Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking and go in.”

“The true policy of government is to make use of aristocracy, but under the forms and in the spirit of democracy.”

“Men are moved by two levers only: fear and self interest.”

“Morality for the upper classes, the gallows for the rabbles.”

“Great men are meteors, consuming themselves to light the world”

“All the great captains have performed vast achievements by conforming with the rules of art--by adjusting efforts to obstacles.”

“The infectiousness of crime is like that of the plague.”

“Great men are meteors designed to burn so that earth may be lighted.”

“You can not lead a battle if you think you look silly on a horse.”

“I engage and after that I see what to do.”

“War is ninety percent information.”

“A prince should suspect everything.”

“In order to govern, the question is not to follow out a more or less valid theory but to build with whatever materials are at hand. The inevitable must be accepted and turned to advantage.”

“Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them.”

“What a beautiful fix we are in now; peace has been declared.”

“I do not believe it is in our nature to love impartially. We deceive ourselves when we think we can love two beings, even our own children, equally. There is always a dominant affection.”

“You cannot stop me; I spend thirty thousand men a month.”

“Who saves his country violates no law.”

“I may have had many projects, but I never was free to carry out any of them.”

“Washington is dead! This great man fought against Tyranny; he established the liberty of his country. His memory will always be dear to the French people, as it will be to all free men of the two worlds; and especially to French soldiers, who, like him and the American soldiers, have combated for liberty and equality.”

“At the head of an army, nothing is more becoming than simplicity.”

“Unite for the public safety, if you would remain an independent nation.”

“My mind is a chest of drawers. When I wish to deal with a subject, I shut all the drawers but the one in which the subject is to be found. When I am wearied, I shut all the drawers and go to sleep.”

“Much shedding of blood, many great actions, and triumphs, toil and perseverance are the end of all things human.”