Private Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte: During the Periods of the Directory, the Consulate, and the Empire, Volume 1

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Page 272 - Before he fought a battle, Bonaparte thought little about what he should do in case of success, but a great deal about what he should do in case of a reverse of fortune.
Page 331 - We may ensure the glory of France. I say we, because I require the aid of Bonaparte, and he can do nothing without me. General, Europe observes you. Glory awaits you, and I am impatient to restore peace to my people.
Page 273 - Joseph a little, from habit, and because he is my elder; and Duroc, I love him too; but why? - because his character pleases me: he is stern and resolute, and I believe the fellow never shed a tear.
Page 272 - A newly born government," said he to me, " must dazzle and astonish. When it ceases to do that, it falls." It was vain to look for rest from a man who was restlessness itself.
Page 124 - You have effected the organization of the great nation, the territory of •which is only circumscribed because nature herself has fixed its limits.
Page 270 - He paid little attention to any but the German and English papers. " Pass over all that," he would say, while I was perusing the French papers ; " I know it already. They say only what they think will please me.
Page 139 - ... sovereignty for commanding men, but also the instinct for those aristocratical pleasures, the enjoyment of which is considered by mankind to be amongst the attributes of kings. It is scarcely possible that some accidents should not occur during a long voyage in a crowded vessel — that some persons should not fall overboard. Accidents of this kind frequently happened on board the Orient. On those occasions nothing was more remarkable than the great humanity of the man who has since been so prodigal...
Page 272 - My power," he would say at other times, " depends on my glory, and my glory on my victories. My power would fall were I not to support it by new glory and new victories. Conquest has made me what I am, and conquest alone can maintain me.
Page 271 - To make a great noise is his favorite design. " A great reputation is a great noise : the more there is made, the farther off it is heard. Laws, institutions, monuments, nations, all fall; hut the noise continues, and resounds in after ages.
Page 211 - He told the army but half the truth: The news from Europe (said he) has determined me to proceed to France. I leave the command of the army to General Kleber. The army shall hear from me forthwith. At present I can say no more. It costs me much pain to quit troops to whom I am so strongly attached. But my absence will be but temporary, and the general I leave in command has the confidence of the Government as well as mine.

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