A picture is worth a thousand words. Music is the voice that tells us that the human race is greater than it knows. A celebrated people lose dignity upon a closer view. A man will fight harder for his interests than for his rights. A revolution is an idea which has found its bayonets. A true man hates no one. Ability is nothing without opportunity. All religions have been made by men. An army marches on its stomach. Death is nothing, but to live defeated and inglorious is to die daily. England is a nation of shopkeepers. Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets. France has more need of me than I have need of France. Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever. He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat. History is a set of lies agreed upon. History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon. I am sometimes a fox and sometimes a lion. The whole secret of government lies in knowing when to be the one or the other. I have only one counsel for you - be master. I love power. But it is as an artist that I love it. I love it as a musician loves his violin, to draw out its sounds and chords and harmonies. If they want peace, nations should avoid the pin- pricks that precede cannon shots If you want a thing done well, do it yourself. If you wish to be a success in the world, promise everything, deliver nothing. Imagination rules the world. Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools. In politics stupidity is not a handicap. In politics... never retreat, never retract... never admit a mistake. It is the cause, not the death, that makes the martyr. It requires more courage to suffer than to die. Let the path be open to talent. Men are moved by two levers only: fear and self interest. There are only two forces that unite men - fear and interest. Men take only their needs into consideration - never their abilities. Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence. Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake. Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide. One should never forbid what one lacks the power to prevent. Power is my mistress. I have worked too hard at her conquest to allow anyone to take her away from me. Public opinion is the thermometer a monarch should constantly consult. Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet. > Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich. Soldiers generally win battles; generals get credit for them. >Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking and go in. >Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent. >The act of policing is, in order to punish less often, to punish more severely. The best cure for the body is a quiet mind. The best way to keep one's word is not to give it. The great proof of madness is the disproportion of one's designs to one's means. >The herd seek out the great, not for their sake but for their influence; and the great welcome them out of vanity or need. >The human race is governed by its imagination. >The infectiousness of crime is like that of the plague. The truest wisdom is a resolute determination. > The word impossible is not in my dictionary. 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. There is only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous. >Throw off your worries when you throw off your clothes at night. Victory belongs to the most persevering. War is the business of barbarians. Water, air, and cleanness are the chief articles in my pharmacy. >We must laugh at man to avoid crying for him. Women are nothing but machines for producing children. You must not fight too often with one enemy, or you will teach him all your art of war. The French complain of everything, and always. "The most dangerous moment comes with victory."