History is a myth that men agree to believe.
Napoleon BonaparteRead
As a rule it is circumstances that make men.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Circumstances shape people's character and actions.
This quote by Napoleon Bonaparte emphasizes the significant role that external factors and situations play in determining individual behavior and character. It implies that rather than inherent traits, it is often the circumstances surrounding a person that influence their development and choices, showcasing the power of the environment in shaping human lives.
Themes
CircumstancesCharacterInfluencePersonal DevelopmentHuman Nature
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about resilience: 'As Napoleon Bonaparte said, circumstances make men, reminding us all to adapt and grow.'
More from Napoleon Bonaparte
All quotes βOne must indeed be ignorant of the methods of genius to suppose that it allows itself to be cramped by forms. Forms are for mediocrity, and it is fortunate that mediocrity can act only according to routine. Ability takes its flight unhindered.
Napoleon BonaparteRead
One can lead a nation only by helping it see a bright outlook. A leader is a dealer in hope.
Napoleon BonaparteRead
We must laugh at man to avoid crying for him.
Napoleon BonaparteRead
Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent.
Napoleon BonaparteRead
It is my wish that my ashes may repose on the banks of the Seine, in the midst of the French people, whom I have loved so well.
Napoleon BonaparteRead
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The popes have spoken of human ecology, closely linked to environmental ecology. We are living in a time of crisis: we see this in the environment, but above all we see this in mankind Man is not in charge today, money is in charge, money rules. God our Father did not give the task of caring for the earth to money, but to us, to men and women: we have this task! Instead, men and women are sacrificed to the idols of profit and consumption: it is the 'culture of waste.'
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I despair of the Republic! Such dreariness, such whining sallow women, such utter absence of the amenities, such crass food, crass manners, crass landscape!! What a horror it is for a whole nation to be developing without the sense of beauty, and eating bananas for breakfast.
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The real question is not whether machines think but whether men do. The mystery which surrounds a thinking machine already surrounds a thinking man.
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