Chapter 169
Napoleon Crosses the Rubicon
On the twenty-ninth of May Napoleon left Dresden, where he had spent three weeks surrounded by a court that included princes, dukes, kings, and even an emperor. Before leaving, Napoleon showed favor to the emperor, kings, and princes who had deserved it, reprimanded the kings and princes with whom he was dissatisfied, presented pearls and diamonds of his own—that is, which he had taken from other kings—to the Empress of Austria, and having, as his historian tells us, tenderly embraced the Empress Marie Louise—who regarded him as her husband, though he had left another wife in Paris—left her grieved by…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Power Check: Create Your Reality Testing System
Think of an area where you have some authority or influence (work, parenting, volunteer role, etc.). Design a simple system to keep yourself grounded and open to feedback. What specific questions would you ask yourself regularly? Who could you trust to tell you hard truths? What warning signs would tell you that success is going to your head?
Consider:
- •Consider both formal feedback (performance reviews, surveys) and informal reality checks (trusted friends, family observations)
- •Think about times when you were wrong despite feeling confident - what could have helped you see it sooner?
- •Remember that the people most likely to tell you what you want to hear are often the least helpful for your growth
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you had to admit you were wrong about something you felt confident about. What helped you see the truth, and how did it change your approach to decision-making?
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