As to your country, Monsieur de Melzi, it has still fewer elements of republicanism than France, and much less ceremony is essential with it than with any other...

In other respects, I have no idea of coming to terms so promptly with Austria.

It is not for my interest to make peace.

You see what I am, what I can do in Italy.

If peace is brought about, if I am no longer at the head of this army which has become attached to me, I must give up this power, this high position I have reached, and go and pay court to lawyers in the Luxembourg.