Napoleon III > Quotes

“Let us not continually seek little passions in great souls. The success of superior men — and it is a consoling thought — is due rather to the loftiness of their sentiments, than to the speculations of selfishness and cunning; this success depends much more on their skill in taking advantage of circumstances, than on that presumption, blind enough to believe itself capable of creating events, which are in the hands of God alone. Certainly, Caesar had faith in his destiny, and confidence in his genius; but faith is an instinct, not a calculation, and genius foresees the future without understanding its mysterious progress.”
― Napoleon III, History of Julius Caesar Volume 1 of 2