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While Napoleon believed his fortunes to be governed by destiny, his real genius lay in self-control and martial daring coupled with an indomitable will to power.

From 1801, Napoleon began an ambitious programme of civil reform to standardise law and justice, centralise education, introduce uniform weights and measures and a fully functioning internal market. That achievement alone makes him one of the giants of history.

I suffer a little bit from Napoleonism, if you will.

The punishment which the wise suffer who refuse to take part in the government, is to live under the government of worse men.

It was the king's army, the king's people, the king's taxes; and he who questioned the propriety of the royal prerogative of taking from his people without return or accounting, was reckoned, and felt himself to be, a criminal, guilty of the highest crime of disloyalty.

Of the various forms of government which have prevailed in the world, an hereditary monarchy seems to present the fairest scope for ridicule.

Well, when did this become a monarchy? You know, we are the people. The president works for us and, you know, we need to remember that.

Kings will be tyrants from policy, when subjects are rebels from principle.

I have no desire to go in for tyranny or to play the part of King Charles. I hate tyranny in any field of human activity.