I can no longer obey; I have tasted command, and I cannot give it up.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Having tasted command, Napoleon cannot obey again.
- In plain terms
- He likes power too much to follow orders.
- What can you take from it?
- Power is addictive and hard to relinquish.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why is power hard to give up?
- How does command change a person?
Another view
Some leaders willingly step down.
More from Napoleon Bonaparte
I believe love to be hurtful to society, and to the individual happiness of men. I believe, in short, that love does more harm than good.
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Permalink to quote #93
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