Quote#World
I used to say of him that his presence on the field made the…
Quote byArthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington · 1769–1852
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Notes of Conversations with the Duke of Wellington (1886), On Napoleon Bonaparte, in notes for 2 November 1831; later, in the notes for 18 September 1836, he is quoted as saying:.
English (original)
I used to say of him that his presence on the field made the difference of forty thousand men. It is very true that I have said that I considered Napoleon's presence in the field equal to forty thousand men in the balance. This is a very loose way of talking; but the idea is a very different one from that of his presence at a battle being equal to a reinforcement of forty thousand men.
— Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
More from Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Napoleon has humbugged me, by God; he has gained twenty-four hours' march on me.
I believe I forgot to tell you I was made a Duke.
If anyone wishes to know the history of this war, I will tell them that it is our maritime superiority gives me the power of maintaining my army while the enemy are unable to do so.
I have no small talk and Peel has no manners.
It is quite impossible for me or any other man to command a British Army under the existing system. We have in the service the scum of the earth as common soldiers; and of late years we have been doing everything in our power, both by law …
Who will attack first tomorrow? I or Bonaparte? -Bonaparte. -Well, Bonaparte has not given me any idea of his projects, and as my plans will depend on his, how can you expect to tell me what mine are?