
ÉLIE FAURE
NAPOLÉON
I JÉSUS ET LUI
II LE REVERS - 1
III L’AVERS - 1
IV LE MÉTAL - 1
V LA MATRICE - 1
VI DEVANT LES HOMMES - 1
VII DEVANT LES FEMMES - 1
VIII DEVANT L’ESPRIT - 1
In this thought‑provoking meditation, Napoleon is examined not as a simple hero or villain but as a paradoxical force that reshapes morality itself. The author weighs the man’s ruthless conquests against his drive to impose order, presenting him as both a murderer and a judge, a figure whose actions echo the contradictions of divine and demonic archetypes. By juxtaposing his deeds with the moral frameworks of Christianity, the text invites listeners to question whether true virtue can ever be cleanly separated from ambition and bloodshed.
Written with a lyrical, almost poetic voice, the essay moves fluidly between philosophy, history, and art criticism. It draws bold parallels between Napoleon and iconic cultural creators, suggesting that his legacy burns as brightly—and as controversially—as the works of Michel‑Angelo or Shakespeare. The narrative’s rich, contemplative style encourages a deep, personal reflection on how history’s most powerful personalities continue to haunt our collective conscience.
Language
fr
Duration
~6 hours (369K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
France: Georges Crès, 1921.
Credits
Laurent Vogel and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF/Gallica))
Release date
2022-07-29
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1873–1937
A French art historian, essayist, and physician, he is best remembered for bringing the story of art to a wide audience with energy, feeling, and big historical sweep. His writing treats art as something alive inside civilization, not just a gallery of masterpieces.
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