26 Napoleon Bonaparte Quotes on War

Napoleon Bonaparte quotes on war

9. France is invaded; I am leaving to take command of my troops, and, with God's help and their valor, I hope soon to drive the enemy beyond the frontier.

23. Waterloo will wipe out the memory of my forty victories; but that which nothing can wipe out is my Civil Code. That will live forever.

25. Among so many conflicting ideas an so many different perspectives, the honest man is confused and distressed and the skeptic becomes wicked ... Since one must take sides, one might as well choose the side that is victorious, the side which devastates, loots, and burns. Considering the alternative, it is better to eat than to be eaten.

41. When you have an enemy in your power, deprive him of the means of ever injuring you.

46. A man will fight harder for his interests than for his rights.

58. An army marches on its stomach.

64. Calumny, envy, and all revengeful passions appear almost exclusively to direct the actions of men.

72. Doctors will have more lives to answer for in the next world than even we generals.

77. Fanaticism must first be lulled, in order that it may be eradicated.

92. I am never angry when contradicted, I seek to be enlightened.

99. I have not come to you except for the purpose of restoring your rights from the hands of the oppressors... (motivation for invading Egypt in 1798)

104. In the world there are but two powers the sword and the mind, in the long run the latter always beats the former.

109. If they want peace, nations should avoid the pin-pricks that precede cannon shots.

119. It is in the workshops of the country that the most successful war is waged against an enemy, at least it does not cost a drop of its people's blood.

131. Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.

133. Now we are in a fix. Peace has been declared.

171. The people to fear are not those who disagree with you, but those who disagree with you and are too cowardly to let you know.

173. The spectacle of a field of battle after the combat is sufficient to inspire princes with the love of peace and the horror of war.

180. There are only two forces in the world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit.

189. To have good soldiers, a nation must always be at war.

194. War is the business of barbarians.

199. We must not take up arms for vain prospects of grandeur, nor the allurements of conquest.

203. You must not fear death, my lads; defy him, and you drive him into the enemy's ranks.

204. You must not fight too often with one enemy, or you will teach him all your art of war.

207. Give them a whiff of grapeshot.

209. Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.