Napoleon Bonaparte

My maxim was, la carrière ouverte aux talents, the tools to him who can use them.

The barbarous custom of having men beaten who are often much better than those who beat them, morally at least, is absurd.

It is only babblers who never succeed at anything.

The gospel of the rich and powerful has always been and will continue to be: Civil war and diplomacy are the two best games in the world at all times, and do you want to succeed in them? Well, double-shuffle the cards.

One should never forbid what one lacks the power to prevent.

The people will believe any lie if it is repeated often enough.

A government exists to serve the people, not the other way around.

France has more than enough men of talent to govern both France and Italy.

The crown is not a mere ornament; it imposes heavy duties.

I closed the gulf of anarchy and brought order out of chaos. I rewarded merit regardless of birth or wealth, visited the sick and encouraged the industrious. The peasantry everywhere hail me as their savior.