Power is founded upon opinion.
Do you know what amazes me more than anything else? The impotence of force to organize anything.
There are certain things in war of which the commander alone comprehends the importance. Nothing but his superior firmness and ability can subdue and surmount all difficulties.
Love is the occupation of the idle man, the amusement of a busy one, and the shipwreck of a sovereign.
From triumph to downfall is but a step. I have seen a trifle decide the most important issues in the gravest affairs.
Men, in general, are but great children.
The art of the police is not to see what it is useless that it should see.
The worse the man the better the soldier. If soldiers be not corrupt they ought to be made so.
Give me enough ribbons to place on the tunics of my soldiers and I can conquer the world.
Clever policy consists in making nations believe they are free.
Here, Gentlemen, a dog teaches us a lesson in humanity.
There are two kinds of fidelity, that of dogs and that of cats; you, gentleman, have the fidelity of cats who never leave the house.
A book in which there were no lies would be a curiosity.
A Government protected by foreigners will never be accepted by a free people.
A great reserve and severity of manners are necessary for the command of those who are older than ourselves.
The Concordat is not the victory of any one party but the consolidation of all.
Love is the idler’s occupation, the warrior’s relaxation, and the sovereign’s ruination.
When firmness is sufficient, rashness is unnecessary.
Against attempts on my life, I trust in my luck, my good genius, and my guards.
There is no such thing as an accident, only a failure to recognise the hand of fate.