History is written by the winners.
France has more need of me than I have need of France.
One should never forbid what one lacks the power to prevent.
Conquest has made me what I am, only conquest can maintain me.
If the art of war were nothing but the art of avoiding risks, glory would become the prey of mediocre minds.... I have made all the calculations; fate will do the rest.
We must laugh at man to avoid crying for him.