Quotes of Napoleon Bonaparte : On politics and power

He who knows how to flatter also knows how to slander.
Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets.
International incidents must not be allowed to shape foreign policy, foreign policy must shape the incidents.
Good and decent people must be protected and persuaded by gentle means, but the rabble must be led by terror.
It is an ambassador's duty to stand up for his nation's foreign policy in any era and under any government whatsoever. Ambassadors are, in the full meaning of the term, titled spies.
A man made for public life and authority never takes account of personalities; he only takes account of things, of their weight and their conseqences.
In political administration, no problem is ever simple. It can never be reduced to the question whether a certain measure is good or not.
Democracy, if it is reasonable, limits itself to giving everyone an equal opportunity to compete and to obtain.
Europe is a molehill. All great empires and revolutions have been on the Orient; six hundred millions live there.
If fifty thousand men were to die for the good of the State, I certainly would weep for them, but political necessity comes before everything else.
Bloodletting is among the ingredients of political medicine.
In war, as in politics, no evil - even if it is permissible under the rules - is excusable unless it is absolutely necessary. Everything beyond that is a crime.
Passions change, politics are immutable.
Governments keep their promises only when they are forced, or when it is to their advantage to do so.
A true master of politics is able to calculate, down to the smallest fraction, the advantages to which he may put his very faults.
In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.
High politic is only common sense applied to great things.
If you wish to be success in the world, promise everything, deliver nothing.
In politics... never retreat, never retract... never admit a mistake.
In politics, an absurdity is not a handicap.
A new-born Government must shine and astonish — the moment it loses its éclat it falls.
A great Nation should have a fixed Government, so that the death of one man should not overturn it.
Where the Government is weak, military sway prevails.
For the stability of the Government, the people should have a considerable voice in the elections.
In a great nation, the majority are incapable of judging wisely of things.
The sovereignty of the people is inalienable.
There is no power without justice.
Great events ever depend but upon a single hair. The adroit man profits by everything, neglects nothing which can increase his chances; the less adroit, by sometimes disregarding a single chance, fails in everything.
A King should sacrifice the best affections of his heart for the good of his country; no sacrifice should be above his determination.
A great European federative system alone can be favourable to the development of civilisation.
Speeches pass away, but acts remain.
Nothing is more arrogant than the weakness which feels itself supported by power.
A leader is a dealer in hope.
The great art of governing consists in not letting men grow old in their jobs.
There are two levers for moving men, interest and fear.
To do all that one is able to do, is to be a man; to do all that one would like to do, is to be a god.
The people to fear are not those who disagree with you, but those who disagree with you and are too cowardly to let you know.
When firmness is sufficient, rashness is unnecessary.
Few things are brought to a successful issue by impetuous desire, but most by calm and prudent forethought.
Good and decent people must be protected and persuaded by gentle means, but the rabble must be led by terror.
A legislator must know how to take advantage of even the defects of those he wants to govern. The art consists in making others work rather than in wearing oneself out.
To negotiate is not to do as one likes.
It would be a joke if the conduct of the victor had to be justified to the vanquished.
The first method is that of a schemer and leads only to mediocre results; the other method is the path of genius and changes the face of the world.
Great men are never cruel without necessity.
Force is the law of animals, men are ruled by conviction.
A magistrate is not a father; he must be just and severe. Only tyrants are fathers.
There is no strength without justice.
Men who have changed the world never achieved their success by winning the chief citizens to their side, but always by stirring the masses.
Do not talk to me of goodness, of abstract justice, of nature law. Necessity is the highest law, public welfare is the highest justice.
The policies of all powers are inherent in their geography.
Pure politics is merely the calculus of combinations and of chances.
The heart of a statesman must be in his head.
Lack is more in means, than in principles.
Public morals are natural complement of all laws they are by themselves an entire code.
A Constitution should be short and obscure.
A throne is only a bench covered with velvet.
An order that can be misunderstood, will be misunderstood.
History is a set of lies agreed upon.
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
Public opinion is the thermometer a monarch should constantly consult.
Men are more easily governed through their vices than their virtues.
God has given me the will and the force to overcome all obstacles.
When you set out to take Vienna, take Vienna.
He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat.
Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking and go.
Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.

Napoleon on Politics & Power