In his first Italian campaign he wrote thus to General Clarke: "That ambition and the occupation of high offices were not sufficient for his satisfaction and happiness, which he had early placed in the opinion of Europe and the esteem of posterity." He often observed to me that with him the opinion of posterity was the real immortality of the soul.
It may easily be conceived that Napoleon wished to give to the documents which he knew historians would consult a favourable colour, and to direct, according to his own views, the judgment of posterity on his actions: But it is only by the impartial comparison of periods, positions, and age that a well founded decision will be given.

About his fortieth year the physical constitution of Napoleon sustained considerable change; and it may be presumed that his moral qualities were affected by that change.

It is particularly important not to lose sight of the premature decay of his health, which, perhaps, did not permit him always to, possess the vigour of memory otherwise consistent enough with his age.

The state of our organisation often modifies our recollections, our feelings, our manner of viewing objects, and the impressions we receive.

This will be taken into consideration by judicious and thinking men; and for them I write.
What M.de Las Casas states Napoleon to have said in May 1816 on the manner of writing his history corroborates the opinion I have expressed.
It proves that all the facts and observations he communicated or dictated were meant to serve as materials.