Better not to have been born than to live without glory.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Napoleon suggests that a life without honor or achievement is worse than nonexistence.
- In plain terms
- Living without glory is not worth living.
- What can you take from it?
- Aim for a life of honor and achievement.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes a life worth living?
- Is glory necessary for happiness?
Another view
This view dismisses the value of simple, quiet lives.
More from Napoleon Bonaparte
Authoritarian government required to speak, is silent... Representative government required to speak, lies with impunity.
Permalink to quote #61 Better to have a known enemy than a forced ally.
Permalink to quote #63 An emperor confides his trust in National Soldiers, not in mercenaries.
Permalink to quote #60
Related quotes
Death is an angel with two faces: To us he turns A face of terror, blighting all things fair; The other burns With glory of the stars, and love is there.
Theodore Chickering WilliamsTheodore Chickering Williams quote #2 There's nothing noble about dying. Not even if you die for honor. Not even if you die the greatest hero the world ever saw. Not even if you're so great your na…
Dalton TrumboDalton Trumbo quote #3 Creatures of a day! What is a man? What is he not? A dream of a shadow Is our mortal being. But when there comes to men A gleam of splendour given of Heaven, T…
PindarPindar quote #3