Napoleon said, "Morality has nothing to do with a man such as I am." Was he correct?

Question

There are various systems of morality, including Nietsche's system in which the "strong" are not subject to the same rules and restrictions as the "weak". Napoleon's statement seems to be an assertion of the same principle, and Macchiavelli seemed to be saying, in his master work "The Prince", that that's the way it works, and, if you want to gain and keep power, you have to ignore the scruples that "lesser" people might have.

Answer 1

since morality is not a universal truth but something imposed by habit and education he could have been correct if he meant that he wasnot influenced by the established morality of his time...but in using thew word Morality as a whole he couldnt be correct because since all of us are born in a society we tend to develop our personal morality...i dont think there is anyone who can claim that he has no moral sense at all...And that makes me thing of something else...let´s ask!

Answer 2

Napoleon assumingly gave that statement justifying "immoral" brutalities of warfare.
If he had been correct he wouldnt have ended the way he did.

Also you would have to agree that there have been many people in power that have set examples by being righteous and following civalrous virtues (e.g. G. Washington, Robert E. Lee)

As is shown by Lord Acton’s famous words of wisdom that “power corrupts,” what characterizes the history of man is the corrupted leaders blinded by their power and might.

Answer 3

No, Bonaparte had his head up his a**.

He didn't stay in Moscow for long, did he? he didn't last long when he came back to power, did he?

How many wars have the French won on their own since Nappy was "emporer"?

Compare his long-term effect on his country, which was negligible, with that of, say, George Washington.

My reading of Machiavelli is that he said getting and keeping power involve a willingness to SUSPEND morality when in a crisis, that the leader must be willing to sacrifice his soul for his people.

Answer 4

I think his statement had a twofold meaning. First, although I have been fascinated by his military campaigns and have a certain measure of respect for him as an historical figure, I do believe he had a megalomaniacal complex and saw himself above reproach, but I think when he uttered it he was simply referring to the common idea that men of war, especially commanders, and their actions were outside the moral realm altogether, because, above all else, he was and considered himself to be a life-long soldier and commander

Answer 5

He was heavily into politics, of course he was right. Regardless of the philosophical stances held by Nietsche or Macchiavelli.

Answer 6

Napoleon was a manipulator a politician,a general and dictator
therefore he had to be a liar ,and a killer as well.
his behaviour could hardly apply to the common man

so if he said that morality was Alien to him he was probably right for once.

Answer 7

Oh, indeed he was. He was a genius and a very mean individual who abused his power. In the end, the same thing happened to him as with all dictators which was disaster.

Answer 8

"Man is inherently evil, and cares for only himself". In the real world it is true. We must step on those that stand in our way. Keep in mind that although we step on the peasants we still need them in order to maintain a hierarchy.

Answer 9

There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end therein is death.

Answer 10

Nothing a Frenchman ever said was correct.