Napoleon Bonaparte Quotes

Kings may be judges of the earth, but wise men are the judges of kings.

To be a king and wear a crown is a thing more glorious to them that see it than it is pleasant to them that bear it.

I don't feel qualified to be President either, but I've got the job.

Can you be cruel and proud? For a great man among the commonalty, and in particular among such as we shall have to do with, will not be thought anything worth if he be not feared and dreaded, and at times renowned for his cruelty. It is thus that the Flemings wish to be governed; and among them men's lives should be no more valued, nor should they have more pity shown to them, than swallows or larks, which are caught in the proper season for the table.

I would rather have a Scot come from Scotland to govern the people of this kingdom well and justly than that you should govern them ill in the sight of all the world

I wonder truly at your insolence, that, whereas by God's favor and mine, you have occupied the rank and office of the wise, you have neglected the studies and labors of the wise. Either, therefore, at once give up the discharge of the temporal duties which you hold, or endeavor more zealously to study the lessons of wisdom. Such are my commands.

Time was when an incompetent Governor could not be permitted among men. He was, and had to be, by one method or the other, clutched up from his place at the helm of affairs, and hurled down into the hold, perhaps even overboard, if he could not really steer. And we call those ages barbarous, because they shuddered to see a Phantasm at the helm of their affairs

One cannot reign innocently: the insanity of doing so is evident. Every king is a rebel and a usurper.

Justice is the first virtue of those who command, and stops the complaints of those who obey.

At Athens, wise men propose, and fools dispose.

It is not a sign of arrogance for the king to rule. That is what he is there for.

The metaphor of the king as the shepherd of his people goes back to ancient Egypt. Perhaps the use of this particular convention is due to the fact that, being stupid, affectionate, gregarious, and easily stampeded, the societies formed by sheep are most like human ones.

Rulers come and go; governments end and forms of government change; but sovereignty survives.

A political society cannot endure without a supreme will somewhere.

King's entreaties are commands.

… essentially lacking in the quality of leadership.

It is the lot of a king to do well but to be ill spoken of.

There are no honorable rulers.

I know the title of a King is a glorious title, but assure yourself that the shining glory of princely authority hath not so dazzled the eyes of our understanding, but that we well know and remember that we also are to yield an account of our actions before the Great Judge.

I have no right to be a king, but I have the right to create a king.

The fellow that has power is the one who uses it sparingly ... I had more power when I went into office than when I went out.

Kings need the company of the intelligent far more than the intelligent need the company of kings.

He made you king to do justice and righteousness.

In Spain the king rules, but in the Sierra I do.

Rulers should always remind themselves that they are men like the least of their subjects.