The most terrible of all my battles was the one before Moscow. The French showed themselves to be worthy of victory, but the Russians showed themselves worthy of being invincible.

Equality should be the chief basis of the education of youth.

Treaties are observed as long as they are in harmony with interests.

Providence is always on the side of the last reserve.

Imagination rules the world.

All the great captains have performed vast achievements by conforming with the rules of art--by adjusting efforts to obstacles.

What is the future? What is the past? What are we? What is the magic fluid that surrounds us and conceals the things we most need to know? We live and die in the midst of marvels.