The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

etreat: it is a wretched invention. The difficult is what takes a little time; the impossible is what
takes a little longer.
In ‘Listener’ 14 December 1939, p. 1153.
2.6 Napoleon I 1769-1821
The Channel is a mere ditch, and will be crossed as soon as someone has the courage to
attempt it.
‘Correspondance de Napolèon Ier’ (1854-69) vol. 9 (16 November 1803)
A prince who gets a reputation for good nature in the first year of his reign, is laughed at in the
second.
‘Correspondance de Napolèon Ier’ (1854-69) vol. 15 (4 April 1807)
Religion is an all-important matter in a public school for girls. Whatever people say, it is the
mother’s safeguard, and the husband’s. What we ask of education is not that girls should think,
but that they should believe.
‘Correspondance de Napolèon Ier’ (1854-69) vol. 15 (15 May 1807)
A la guerre, les trois quarts sont des affaires morales, la balance des forces rèelles n’est que
pour un autre quart.
In war, three-quarters turns on personal character and relations; the balance of manpower and
materials counts only for the remaining quarter.
‘Correspondance de Napolèon Ier’ vol. 17 (1865) no.14276 ‘Observations sur les affaires d’Espagne, Saint-
Cloud, 27 août 1808’
It is a matter of great interest what sovereigns are doing; but as to what Grand Duchesses are
doing—Who cares?
‘Lettres inèdits de Napolèon I’ (1897) vol. 2, p. 915 (17 December 1811)
Les savants conçurent une autre idèe tout-á-fait ètrangére au bienfait de l’unitè de poids et de
mesures; ils y adaptérent la numèration dècimale, en prenant le métre pour unitè; ils supprimérent
tous les nombres complexes. Rien n’est plus contraire á l’organisation de l’esprit, de la mèmoire
et de l’imagination...Le nouveau systéme de poids et mesures sera un sujet d’embarras et de
difficultès pour plusieurs gènèrations...C’est tourmenter le peuple par des vètilles!!!
The scientists had another idea which was totally at odds with the benefits to be derived from
the standardization of weights and measures; they adapted to them the decimal system, on the
basis of the metre as a unit; they suppressed all complicated numbers. Nothing is more contrary
to the organization of the mind, of the memory, and of the imagination...The new system of
weights and measures will be a stumbling block and the source of difficulties for several
generations...It’s just tormenting the people with trivia!!!
Referring to the introduction of the metric system, in ‘Mèmoires...ècrits á Ste-Hèléne’ bk. 4, ch. 21, pt. 4
It is easier to put up with unpleasantness from a man of one’s own way of thinking than from
one who takes an entirely different point of view.
‘Mèmoires et Correspondance publiques et militaires du Roi Joseph’ (1855) vol. 3 (14 April 1807)
Du sublime au ridicule il n’y a qu’un pas.