I may have had many projects, but I never was free to carry out any of them. It did me little good to be holding the helm; no matter how strong my hands, the sudden and numerous waves were stronger still, and I was wise enough to yield to them rather than resist them obstinately and make the ship founder. Thus I never was truly my own master but was always ruled by circumstances.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Even powerful leaders are often constrained by external circumstances.
- In plain terms
- I was never truly in control because circumstances were stronger.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize when external forces limit your control.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- To what extent are we free?
- When should you resist circumstances?
Another view
Great leaders often shape circumstances rather than just yielding to them.
More from Napoleon Bonaparte
I generally had to give in.
Permalink to quote #15 Women are nothing but machines for producing children.
Permalink to quote #17 Whatever shall we do in that remote spot? Well, we will write our memoirs. Work is the scythe of time.
Permalink to quote #14
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