apparently have been misunderstood. Only by prudence, sagacity, and
determination we are able to realize great objects and surmount all
obstacles; otherwise all our efforts will prove unavailing.
Frequently there is but a single step from victory to ruin. In
highly critical times, I have always noticed that a mere nothing
decided the most important events."

"It is characteristic of our nation to be too rash and fiery in
prosperity. If we adopt a sagacious policy, which is nothing but the
result of the calculation of combination and chances as a base for
our operations, we shall long remain the greatest nation and most
powerful state in Europe--nay, more, we shall hold the balance of
power, we shall make it incline wherever we desire, and if it were
the will of Providence, it would be no impossibility to achieve in
the course of a few years those great results which a glowing and
excited imagination perhaps foresees, but which only a man of
extraordinary coolness, perseverance, and prudence is able to
accomplish if--" [Footnote: "Memoires d'un Homme d'Etat," vol. iv.,
p. 581.]

Bonaparte paused suddenly as if he had been about to betray a
profound secret, and stopped exactly when it was not yet too late to
keep it buried within his own breast.

"It is enough," he then said, "erase the last word and close the
letter. What makes you look at me so strangely, Bourrienne?"

"I beg your pardon, general, I had a vision. It seemed to me as if
an oriflamme were burning on your head, and I believe if all nations
and all men could behold you as I saw you just now, they would