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About this quote

What does it mean?
Leaders must sacrifice personal affections for national good.
In plain terms
Kings should sacrifice their hearts for their country.
What can you take from it?
Leadership requires personal sacrifice for public good.

Where it applies

  • political office
  • public service
  • crisis management

Putting it to work

  • prioritize public good
  • accept personal loss
  • serve country

Questions to consider

  • What would you sacrifice for your country?
  • Is personal sacrifice necessary for leadership?

Another view

Personal well-being is also important for leaders.

More from Napoleon Bonaparte

  1. Greatness is nothing unless it be lasting.

    Permalink to quote #38
  2. A king is sometimes obliged to commit crimes; but they are the crimes of his position.

    Permalink to quote #36
  3. Many a one commits a reprehensible action, who is at bottom an honourable man, because man seldom acts upon natural impulse, but from some secret passion of th…

    Permalink to quote #39

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