500 Quotes by Napoleon

Every beggar shall be arrested. But to arrest a beggar merely in order to put him in jail would be barbarous and absurd. He should be arrested for the sole purpose of teaching him how to earn a living by his work.

A journalist is a grumbler, a censurer, a giver of advice, a regent of sovereigns, a tutor of nations. Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets.

Hereditary succession to the magistracy is absurd, as it tends to make a property of it; it is incompatible with the sovereignty of the people.

The logical end to defensive warfare is surrender.

The purpose of religion is to keep the poor from killing the rich.

Circumstances-what are circumstances? I make circumstances.

God is on the side of the heaviest cannon.

When soldiers have been baptized in the fire of a battle-field, they have all one rank in my eyes.

Governments keep their promises only when they are forced, or when it is to their advantage to do so.