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Napoleon

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This article is about GritCult's view of Napoleon. For a general overview, see Napoleon on Wikipedia.

Napoleon
“If you don’t understand why Napoleon is so revered. Read this. > Graduates military school at 16 > Ranked…” (21 December 2025)
In the archive
PortalWarlords & Empires
Posts155
Retweets6,172
Likes67,176
First post22 February 2018
Latest post29 May 2026
Posts by year
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Napoleon is GritCult's model of self-creation. An average student ranked at the lower end of his class, he conquered most of Europe through obsessive work, imagination and an absolute refusal to accept limits. To GritCult he is proof that destiny isn't given but forged.

Views

For anyone who doesn't understand why Napoleon is revered, the answer is to read his life. He graduated military school at 16, ranked 42nd of 58 and considered average at best, became a general at 26 after being promoted over 500 senior officers, and conquered most of Europe before 35. Of 43 battles he won 38, overcoming the odds in 17 of those victories [1][2]. No one remembers the rest of his class [3]. In 20 years he went from student to emperor, a reminder that people underestimate how much things can change [4].

The man was forged in obsession. His entire childhood, as soon as he could read or talk, was spent studying military history, until he knew more than most military professors [5]. He said he never found the limit of his capacity for work, which GritCult reads as a man who thought he could have gone harder; the lesson he draws is to step up [6]. Amateurs study tactics, professionals study logistics [7]. Every founder, in his view, should study him.

And Napoleon feared God: "You think you are too intelligent to believe in God. I am not like you." [8] Imagination rules the world; without it man is a brute [9]. He built his own myth, emphasised his own successes, exaggerated his enemies' weaknesses and made himself legend, and GritCult treats that as the move: a man creates himself. He keeps returning to the chain of imitation: Hitler wanted to be like Napoleon, Napoleon like Charlemagne, Charlemagne like Caesar, Caesar like Alexander, Alexander like Achilles, and Achilles did not exist [10]. Appetite grows with eating, and the prescription is always to go harder.

Recurring themes

  • self-made destiny over birthright
  • obsessive work + study
  • God-fear and imagination
  • myth-making / self-creation
  • the chain of great men
  • anti-comfort, anti-therapy

Notable post

The most retweeted GritCult post on the subject, with 1,477 retweets:

If you don’t understand why Napoleon is so revered. Read this.

> Graduates military school at 16
> Ranked 42nd out of 58, considered average at best.
> General at 26 after being promoted over 500 senior officers. After being in the field.
> Conquers most of Europe before 35.…
GRITCULT on X, 21 December 2025

Selected posts

The 120 most retweeted of 155 posts in the archive about Napoleon. Select a column heading to sort.

DateRetweetsLikesPostMediaSource
21 December 20251,47715,151If you don’t understand why Napoleon is so revered. Read this.

> Graduates military school at 16
> Ranked 42nd out of 58, considered average at best.
> General at 26 after being promoted over 500 senior officers. After being in the field.
> Conquers most of Europe before 35.…
Post imageView
19 December 20258438,422One of my favourite stories about Napoleon of all time.

As a young soldier he visits a fortune teller. She reads his palm and says:
“You’re clever. You’re bold. But you’ll never be great.”
“Why not?” He says

She points to his palm and says.

“You lack the line of destiny.…
Post imageView
8 November 20256394,328Napoleon once said

“One grows his appetite as he eats.”

Meaning the more you do something. The more you want of it. Applies to all aspects of life. Can be an upward spiral or a downward loop.

Work out. And eventually you wanna work out more. Be lazy. You wanna be more lazy.
View
17 December 20224602,850I am currently studying Napoleon Bonaparte.

He was rightly considered a genius, in many fields.

Thread/primer on some of my findings on Napoleon and tactics

(the picture is of napoleon studying alone)
Post imageView
19 January 20263915,895You think you are too intelligent to believe in God. I am not like you.

-Napoleon Bonaparte
Post imageView
18 May 20263565,970Napoleon once visited a fortune teller as a young soldier. She read his palm and said: "Youre clever. Youre bold. But youll never be great."

"Why not?" he asked.

She pointed to his palm. "You lack the line of destiny. The mark of historys great leaders."

Without hesitation he…
View
23 September 20243362,995Every great man has some deep rooted trauma.

Napoleon. Alexander. Jesus. Buddha. Genghis.

If the great man went to therapy to heal his trauma he wouldn’t have achieved what he did.

Being “fixed” is a psy op. Stay weird.
View
4 May 20261351,446One should always prefer to make mistakes of ambition rather than sloth — Napoleon

You can go harder
View
1 December 20221341,122hitler wanted to be like napoleon
napoleon wanted to be like charlamagne
charlamagne wanted to be like caesar
caesar wanted to be like alexander
alexander wanted to be like achilles

and achilles did not exist.
View
4 August 20251031,042“Great men are meteors designed to burn up so that the earth may be lightened.”

- Napoleon.
Post imageView
21 September 2022971,141People never understand how dedicated napoleon was.

His entire childhood. As soon as he could read or talk. Was spent studying military history.

To a point where he knew more than most military professors.

He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of military history before 15.
View
19 January 202496718Napoleon once said

“I have never found the limit of my capacity for work.”

You know what this means?

HE THINKS HE COULDVE GONE HARDER

LESSON IN THIS.

STEP UP.
Post imageView
24 November 202376667Napoleon.Video stillView
23 August 202570521TO BE A STAR, YOU MUST BURN - THE MANIFESTO

“Great men are meteors designed to burn up so that the earth may be lightened.” - Napoleon.
Post imageView
21 December 2025631,860@itsaNLR Hitler wanted to be like Napoleon.
Napoleon wanted to be like Caesar.
Caesar wanted to be like Alexander.
Alexander wanted to be like Achilles.

In a 100 years what NPCs feel about historical figures will change.

The real man thinks alone.
View
23 December 2025601,062One lesson many miss from Napoleon

was that he graduated at the lower end of his class.

yet no one remembers the rest of his class.
View
25 April 202648452IMAGINATION RULES THE WORLD. ~NAPOLEON BONAPARTEView
22 May 202642557fuck it, napoleon editVideo stillView
20 May 202638327"The torment of precautions often exceeds the dangers to be avoided. It is sometimes better to abandon oneself to destiny."

- Napoleon

stop overthinking. jump.
View
28 June 202537837Napoleon managed an entire empire at 34Post imageView
2 August 202537437People underestimate how much things can change.

In 20 years Napoleon went from student to emperor.
View
29 November 202537404NapoleonPost imageView
18 October 202536508Amateurs study tactics
Professionals study logistics.

- Napoleon.
View
1 December 202234165he who saves a nation

violates no law

- napoleon
View
17 December 202231375If you study him you will realise he is extremely rare.

43 battles, he won 38 and lost 5
Napoleon overcame odds in 17 of his victories
commanded at disadvantage in all 5 losses

No other general is close to Napoleon in total battles. hes in the top right

Caesar was the closest.
Post imageView
1 October 202529788"I would rather suffer with coffee than be senseless".

- Napoleon
View
17 December 202227255His Quotes are legendary:

"Yes, imagination rules the world.

The defect of our modern institutions is that they do not speak to the imagination.

By that alone can man be governed

without it he is a brute."

(diary of napoleon 1800)
View
29 May 202624246“Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools.” — Napoleon BonapartePost imageView
13 February 202419163Every founder needs to study Napoleon

Why?

- he innovated many fronts
- ambitious, had great vision
- hard working, would be first up grinding
- first principles thinker
- loved to disrupt
Post imageView
27 April 202517439Do you think Napoleon cared about his hairline ?

No.

He locked in and conquered Europe.

Lesson in there.
Post imageView
17 April 202216112a journalist is a street cleaner with a pen

- napoleon
View
13 December 202215161Imagine NOT studying Napoleon.View
8 January 20231578VICTORY IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE FOR THE PERSON WHO REFUSES TO STOP FIGHTING. - NAPOLEON HILLView
17 December 202211267Napoleon had a huge impact on history and will go down as one of if not the best military commanders, it is vital to study him if you appreciate anything close to glory or myth or legend, he was a hero in many senses of the word. A great man according to carlyle.Post imageView
27 March 202111118SOME OF THE SMARTEST PEOPLE ON TWITTER JUST SHITPOST AND TROLL ON HERE,

NAPOLEON APPARENTLY ACTED THE SAME WHEN HE WASNT BEING AN EMPEROR
View
17 December 20229256One of the key reasons why Napoleon was considered a military genius was his ability to outmaneuver his opponents on the battlefield.

He was a master of the art of maneuver warfare, and he often used clever and NEW tactics to gain the upper hand in battle

napoleon was CREATIVE
Post imageView
4 December 20229161Sad but true. As said by Napoleon. One of the most truthful of humans.Post imageView
17 December 20229151One of the ways that Napoleon used psychological warfare was by

Emphasizing his own successes and exaggerating the weaknesses of his enemies

Napoleon created his own myth, its why there are so many paintings of him, he created himself as an emperor, he also wrote a lot.
View
1 July 2023958"Great men are meteors designed to burn so the Earth may be lighted" -NapoleonView
23 January 2023947EFFORT ONLY FULLY RELEASES ITS REWARD AFTER A PERSON REFUSES TO QUIT. - NAPOLEON HILLView
17 April 2022883a true man hates no one

- napoleon
View
12 March 2023842"NEVER ASCRIBE TO MALICE THAT WHICH IS ADEQUATELY EXPLAINED BY INCOMPETENCE." - NAPOLEON BONAPARTEView
19 December 20257163This act alone didn’t make him great.

It is what the act represents. The mindset behind his actions.

Most would’ve been deflated at the news from the fortune teller.

Not Napoleon. He literally carved out his own destiny.

He changed the cards given to him.
View
2 December 20227147history is a pys op - gritcult

history is a set of lies agreed upon - napoleon
View
18 January 2023771IT IS LITERALLY TRUE THAT YOU CAN SUCCEED BEST AND QUICKEST BY HELPING OTHERS TO SUCCEED. - NAPOLEON HILLView
12 January 2024765went sleep at 9pm woke up at 4am.

couldnt sleep any more.
was thinking about napoleon
Post imageView
6 December 2022756Equality exists only in theory - napoleonView
12 March 2021744FUCK THATTTT

COMPARE YOURSELF TO GENGHIS KHAN
TO NAPOLEON

TO CAESAR!!!!!

DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED?!?

OR DO YOU WANT TO BE COMFORTABLE AND NOT HAVE UR FEELINGS HURT?
View
14 October 2018742Choose your player.
Only Napoleon was the non NPC
Post imageView
17 December 20226139Austerlitz

Is a famous example of Napoleon's tactical brilliance was his victory at the Battle of Austerlitz, December 2 1805. its held in the same level as the battle of cannae.

Some say it was his greatest batle abd a definite turning point in history
View
15 March 2023697Currently studying how Spain fumbled one of the largest bags.

And how Napoleon had to sell the territory and the rights of them which were the size of half of America at the time. Due to his constant ear mongering had to re evaluate it due to its east target to the British.…
Post imageView
16 December 2022666"Constant victory seemed to have dulled his skills as a soldier."

B. H. Liddell Hart On Napoleon and a retrospective on his battles and strategies.
View
29 April 2021635HAPPINESS IS FOUND IN DOING, NOT MERELY POSSESSING. - NAPOLEON HILLView
27 October 2018624This is the key.

They both have beginner mindset.

Napoleon and Caesar were geniuses in their own right both were known on some level to have childish like wonder and traits

Forever curious. About everything.

Many are dulled and stop progressing.
View
13 January 2022615PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE AND PERSPIRATION MAKE AN UNBEATABLE COMBINATION FOR SUCCESS. - NAPOLEON HILLView
30 July 20235166SOME OF THE SMARTEST PEOPLE ON TWITTER JUST SHITPOST AND TROLL ON HERE,

NAPOLEON APPARENTLY ACTED THE SAME WHEN HE WASNT BEING AN EMPEROR
View
17 December 20225133Napoleon lured the Austrians and Russians into a trap and then attacked them from multiple sides, achieving a decisive victory

This victory was particularly impressive because Napoleon was outnumbered and outgunned by his enemies. 65000 men, 157 guns to their 95000 men, 315 guns
Post imageView
17 December 20225130Napoleon was a master of psychological warfare.

He understood the importance of morale and motivation in battle

He used a variety of tactics to demoralize his enemies and boost the confidence of his own troops.
View
17 December 20225118YOU NEED TO READ NAPOLEONView
4 December 2022593its very interesting that when napoleon got into power he killed all the journalistsView
5 June 2025560In their meeting in 1808.

Napoleon also famously greeted Goethe as "Voilà un homme!”

Which translates to "Here is a real man!"
Post imageView
19 August 2023556One thing people don’t get about top performers or people like Napoleon. Is that they were both relentless and extremely focused. They didn’t get bored and they weren’t ever “lost” if you’re lost you probably lack motivation and drive to ever make it. Most people never will.View
18 August 2018536caesarean thoughts :

on Caesar

saw a IYI, IQ indicator supremacist on twitter tote how IQ is to be favoured over all else

IQ =/= savagery

but theyve not studied their CAESAR (or napoleon, or any military history)

Caesar = High IQ + Savage +(probably a psycho/sociopath)
View
14 July 2023531the only enemy i fear is nature

- napoleon
View
11 December 2020530Sometimes the best revenge is simply doing nothing.

Do nothing that you had not originally planned.

Excellence being a habit, you would simply continue to exude excellence and striving for success.

Think bigger.

Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever - Napoleon
Post imageView
14 August 201856@gxdarz @MimeticValue @JordanTSack @dopaminendreams mandate of heaven

seems like the meme of divine right of kings

which emerged in europe

in rome too, they used to deify nobles like caesar and augustus

notice : laurel wreath on napoleons head to show the divinity and ascension to emporer (from greek gods)
Post imageView
17 December 20224162The battle was notable for its use of what is now called Napoleonic tactics, such as feigning retreat and then counterattacking, which allowed the French to overcome their numerical disadvantage.

it is taught in military school all around the world
View
17 December 20224145Facing a larger and better-equipped enemy force.

He was determined to move FAST.

Some say Napoleon was always best when he was FORCED to be creative against larger enemies...
View
17 December 20224135The french army was better trained and reorganized into the corps system that is now widely adopted. Armies made up of mini armies

This allowed him to move faster and be more decentralised.

The allied army broke up and retreated.

Napoleon won. - As he did many times.
Post imageView
17 December 20224110In addition to his military and psychological tactics

Napoleon was also a master of logistics and supply

He understood the importance of having a reliable supply chain

This allowed him to sustain his armies over long periods of time, and to outlast his enemies.
View
17 December 20224105Napoleon was also skilled at using his own soldiers as a psychological weapon.

He was known for his ability to inspire loyalty and devotion among his troops, and he was able to use their enthusiasm and determination to gain a psychological advantage over his enemies.
View
30 December 2022456IDEAS ARE THE BEGINNING POINTS OF ALL FORTUNES. - NAPOLEON HILLView
11 August 2018445people think sociopaths and psychopaths are bad for society

but i think they are underestimated and are thoroughly needed

they add chaos into the system

napoleon was a member of the 2%
as was Alexander

without them would anything motivate the masses and create history ?
View
11 August 2020444"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."
- Napoleon Bonaparte

As true in war as it is in everyday.

Listen carefully and let them carry on.

Do not interrupt....
View
2 August 2025441Napoleon once said that “great men are meteors designed to burn up so that the earth may be lightened.”View
17 April 2022439a throne is only a bench covered by velvet.

- napoleon
View
12 May 2023430DON’T WAIT. THE TIME WILL NEVER BE JUST RIGHT. - NAPOLEON HILLView
17 December 20223121Another example of Napoleon's tactical brilliance was his use of artillery

He was one of the first commanders to fully grasp the power of artillery

He used it in new and novel ways often to disrupt the flow of his enemies. turning the tide and creating confusion
View
17 December 20223100Napoleon used his artillery to support his infantry and cavalry, and he was able to coordinate their movements in a way that allowed him to quickly gain the upper hand in battle.

He was skilled at using his artillery to disrupt his enemies' formations and demoralize their troops
View
17 December 2022392Overall, Napoleon's tactical brilliance was a key factor in his military successes

He was able to outmaneuver his opponents,
use his artillery and psychological warfare to devastating effect,
maintain a reliable supply chain
Post imageView
25 May 2026374in 24 hours i will be a shark on this new media livestreaming fundraising show

this is internet capital markets manifest - a new era is upon us.

there is nothing stopping you. if alexander was alive, if caesar was alive, if napoleon was alive - theyd be livestreaming
Video stillView
16 September 2023360why are you as a man not obsessed with napoleon?View
13 April 2023339They said this about napoleonVideo stillView
31 July 2021319HAPPINESS IS FOUND IN DOING, NOT MERELY POSSESSING. - NAPOLEON HILLView
9 January 2021316The three main events that inspired the above tweet are Napoleon, Caesar and Alexander.

All somewhat were linked to nobility, part of the elite class. More often than not, have political allies in place.

Too many elites leads to ruin, the state becomes more zero sum.
View
25 November 2021314"IT IS LITERALLY TRUE THAT YOU CAN SUCCEED BEST AND QUICKEST BY HELPING OTHERS TO SUCCEED." - NAPOLEON HILLView
29 November 20242161In a 100 years. Hitler will be looked upon with indifference like we look at Napoleon, Caesar and Alexander.View
24 January 2025277Quote by Napoleon.Post imageView
4 December 2022268My current obsession is Napoleon Bonaparte.View
25 November 2022254IT IS LITERALLY TRUE THAT YOU CAN SUCCEED BEST AND QUICKEST BY HELPING OTHERS TO SUCCEED. - NAPOLEON HILLView
9 February 2020238The French are unruly.

Only a Napoleon can tame them.

They've been in rebellion for hundreds of years. It's a french pastime.
View
31 December 2022232IDEAS ARE THE BEGINNING POINTS OF ALL FORTUNES. - NAPOLEON HILLView
4 June 2023224DESIRE IS THE STARTING POINT OF ALL ACHIEVEMENT, NOT A HOPE, NOT A WISH, BUT A KEEN PULSATING DESIRE WHICH TRANSCENDS EVERYTHING. - NAPOLEON HILLView
22 February 2018215prussia/germany, with austriahungary, an axis power[unsure of characterisation here] in those times represented a political power that was gaining too much ground and was scaring the others, this was after napoleon, but the history of which still was fresh in Europe, 1886-1915Post imageView
4 July 2023215“Journalists are street cleaners with pens”

Napoleon
View
2 November 202128FAILURE IS NATURE'S PLAN TO PREPARE YOU FOR GREAT RESPONSIBILITIES. - NAPOLEON HILLView
17 August 201825pic of napoleon and his apotheosis

no longer a general, but a divine emperor
View
16 May 201824legacy of napoleon is one of mockery

a strategic genius, who was an emperor of europe
View
2 February 2024135not glamourising working like a donkey here

but when you are motivated and have a mission

like a sports athlete or like napoleon.

you develop the mental callous to "work" but many who do this, dont see this as "work" its their life calling. their talent.
View
11 December 2022134Believe me, I know a thing or two about being a great leader, and Napoleon was definitely one of them.View
2 August 2020131History’s great achievers, have always managed themselves.

Napoleon. Da Vinci. Mozart.
View
5 May 2021130NO MAN IS EVER WHIPPED, UNTIL HE QUITS - IN HIS OWN MIND. - NAPOLEON HILLView
15 May 2021117"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."
- Napoleon Bonaparte

As true in war as it is in everyday.

Listen carefully and let them carry on.

Do not interrupt....
View
15 February 2024116I’m at old street. Waterloo. And Westminster. Today. Got errands, prep for my event next Monday and a crypto event I’m attending.

Every time I enter London. I feel like smoking tobacco.
View
8 March 2021112@DeeperThrill @BGZeroTwoOne 100%

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE BRO

NAPOLEON CAME FROM A MINOR HOUSE.

GENGHIS KHAN ALMOST WAS KILLED AS A CHILD
View
25 February 2021110TO DEMAND LOYALTY YOU NEED TO ESCHEW LOYALTY

napoleon got such loyalty because he cared for his men, and they in turm returned the favour... he lead by example and famously said he would not do anything his men would not do

he lead by example... he would also lead charges.
View
25 February 202119UNITING TRIBES...

GENGHIS KHAN UNITED WARRING TRIBES UNDER A SINGLE BANNER!
THIS AS HIS GREATEST ASSET

HIS UNITING OF THEM TURNED THEM INTO THE GREAT HORDE.

AND THEN HE MADE HISTORY

HE COULD NOT HAVE MADE HISTORY IN ISOLATION.

And napoleon? what of him without an his army
View
27 September 201818ambition:

creating yourself (self authorship)
creating the future (wisdom as future abstraction)

trying to align the two

ubermensch = control over memes
лишний человек superflous man

borrows from the great man theory of history, napoleon, caesar et al
View
9 February 202017They say in his prime.

Napoleon was the luckiest general.

Almost a force of nature
View
3 June 20211716/
TO DEMAND LOYALTY YOU NEED TO ESCHEW LOYALTY

napoleon got such loyalty because he cared for his men, and they in turm returned the favour... he lead by example and famously said he would not do anything his men would not do

he lead by example... he would also lead charges.
View
12 August 201816history of finance/banking

has been long linked with cryptography

network of correspondents, agents, a secret language and carrier pigeons

back then market manipulation was part of the game

see : rothschilds, creation of markets of bonds, and the defeat of napoleon
View
16 November 201915Then again. It has to seem as if the stars aligned in your favour. Seemingly unfathomable moment after one another.

“I'd rather have lucky generals than good ones.” - Napoleon
View
9 February 202013No sympathy for Napoleon?

You are a savage 😂
View
17 August 201812napoleon also achieved divinity in some regards, but not such a great legacy

i think it is due to no sacrifice

whereas caesar was immortalised :
"Et tu brute"

poetic, where as napoleon one of the greats, is mocked, has a syndrome named after him
View
27 December 2025099@BowesChay napoleon would act like this often it is reported he would throw tantrums and fitsView
23 November 2023049Just watched Napoleon.

It was a good. But not great.

It glossed over his love for war. But it is a biopic. Hard to fit 50 years in a 3 hour film. It’s biggest flaw.

The highlight of the film (and perhaps his life) is the battle of austerlitz
View
23 December 2025045@almurray al fuckin murray replying to my tweet hahaha

his loss to wellington doesnt take away from his achievements. he still has the best record of any general in history.

i think napoleon at his peak wouldve beaten wellington. lots of factors went into his defeat.
View
18 November 2022038Imagine if Napoleon was lazy.View
18 May 2026032Napoleon once visited a fortune teller as a young soldier. She read his palm and said: "Youre clever. Youre bold. But youll never be great."

"Why not?" he asked.

She pointed to his palm. "You lack the line of destiny. The mark of historys great leaders."

Without hesitation he…
View
27 February 2024028Napoleon as painted by Hitler.Post imageView

History

GritCult first posted about Napoleon on 22 February 2018, and most recently on 29 May 2026. Across the archive the subject comes up 155 times, most often in 2022 (43 posts).

See also

References

  1. ^GRITCULT [@GRITCULT] (21 December 2025). Graduates military school at 16 > Ranked 42nd out of 58, considered average at best. > General at 26 after being promoted over 500 senior officers. X.
  2. ^GRITCULT [@GRITCULT] (17 December 2022). 43 battles, he won 38 and lost 5... Napoleon overcame odds in 17 of his victories. X.
  3. ^GRITCULT [@GRITCULT] (23 December 2025). he graduated at the lower end of his class. yet no one remembers the rest of his class. X.
  4. ^GRITCULT [@GRITCULT] (2 August 2025). In 20 years Napoleon went from student to emperor. X.
  5. ^GRITCULT [@GRITCULT] (21 September 2022). His entire childhood. As soon as he could read or talk. Was spent studying military history. X.
  6. ^GRITCULT [@GRITCULT] (19 January 2024). I have never found the limit of my capacity for work... HE THINKS HE COULDVE GONE HARDER. X.
  7. ^GRITCULT [@GRITCULT] (18 October 2025). Amateurs study tactics... Professionals study logistics. X.
  8. ^GRITCULT [@GRITCULT] (19 January 2026). You think you are too intelligent to believe in God. I am not like you. X.
  9. ^GRITCULT [@GRITCULT] (17 December 2022). imagination rules the world... without it he is a brute. X.
  10. ^GRITCULT [@GRITCULT] (1 December 2022). napoleon wanted to be like charlamagne... and achilles did not exist. X.

Further reading