Section 156. NAPOLEON BONAPARTE[1]. I.
Reading edition
Section 156. NAPOLEON BONAPARTE[1]. I.
Napoleon understood his business[2]. He was a man who in each moment and[3] emergency knew what[4] to do next. This[5] is an immense comfort and refreshment to the spirits, not only of (S. 3, N. 2) kings, but[6] of citizens. Few[7] men have any next; they live from hand to mouth, without plan, are[8] ever at the end of their line, and, (S. 102, N. 30) after each action, wait for[9] an impulse from abroad. Napoleon would have been the first man of the world, if[10] his ends had been purely public. As[11] he is, he inspires confidence and vigour by the extraordinary unity of his action.
He is firm[12], sure, and self-denying; he sacrifices everything to his aim[13]—money, troops, generals, his own safety even, and is not misled[14], like common adventurers, by[15] the splendour of his own means. “Incidents ought not to govern policy,” he said, “but[16] policy incidents.” “To[17] be hurried away by every event, is[18] to have no political system at all.” His victories were only so many doors[19], and[20] he never for a moment lost sight of his way onward in the dazzle and uproar of the present circumstances. He knew what to do, and he flew to his mark.
He[21] would shorten a straight line to come at his object. Horrible anecdotes may no doubt be collected (S. 4, N. 4) from his history, of[22] the price at which he bought his successes; but he must not, therefore, be set[23] down as cruel, but only as one[24] who knew no impediment to his will: not[25] bloodthirsty, not cruel; but woe to[26] what person stood in his way! “Sire, General Clarke cannot combine with General Junot for the dreadful fire of the Austrian battery.” “Let[27] him carry the battery.” “Sire, every regiment that approaches the heavy artillery is sacrificed[28]. Sire[29], what orders?” “Forward! Forward!”