Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte, Volume 1

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Page 61 - In later years, with larger experience, his respect for mankind was not increased. In a moment of bitterness, he said to one of his oldest friends, "Men deserve the contempt with which they inspire me. I have only to put some...
Page 413 - We may ensure the glory of France. I say we, because I require the aid of Bonaparte, and he can do nothing without me. General, Europe observes you. Glory awaits you, and I am impatient to restore peace to my people.
Page 297 - Called by the wishes of the French nation to occupy the first magistracy of the Republic, I think it proper, on entering into office, to make a direct communication of it to your Majesty.
Page 315 - I do not even love my brothers: perhaps Joseph a little, from habit, and because he is my elder; and Duroc — I love him too; but why? Because his character pleases me : he is stern and resolute, and I believe the fellow never shed a tear.
Page 313 - Hungarian grenadiers, before the very eyes of the Austrian cavalry. This cavalry was half a league off and required a quarter of an hour to arrive on the field of action, and I have observed that it is always these quarters of an hour that decide the fate of a battle.
Page 297 - Majesty, who rules over a free nation, with no other view than to render it happy. Your Majesty will see in this overture only my sincere desire to contribute effectually, for the second time, to a general pacification, by a prompt step taken in confidence, and freed from those forms, which, however necessary to disguise the dependence of feeble States, only serve to discover in those which are powerful, a mutual wish to deceive.
Page 310 - The habit of eating fast and carelessly is supposed to have paralysed Napoleon on two of the most critical occasions of his life — the battles of Borodino and Leipzig. On each of these occasions he is known to have been suffering from indigestion.
Page 414 - I am not insensible to the misfortunes of your family; and I shall learn with pleasure that you are surrounded -with all that can contribute to the tranquillity of your retirement. By this means he did not pledge himself in any way, not even in words, for he himself made no offer of contributing to the tranquillity of the retirement. Every day which...
Page 245 - Madame Bonaparte committed a great fault in neglecting at this juncture to conciliate her mother-in-law, who might have protected her against those who sought her ruin, and effected it nine years later ; for the divorce in 1809 was brought about by the joint efforts of all the members of the Bonaparte family, aided by some of Napoleon's most confidential servants, whom Josephine, either as Madame Bonaparte or as Empress, had done nothing to make her friends.
Page 313 - depends on my glory, and my glory on my victories. My power would fall if I did not support it by fresh glory and new victories. Conquest has made me what I am, and conquest alone can maintain me. A newly-born government like mine must dazzle and astonish. When it ceases to do that, it falls...

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