Війна і мир

Chapter 8

           Heemployedallhisabilityandstrengthtodothebesthecouldforhimselfandhisarmy,ashehaddonepreviouslyandashedidsubsequentlyin1813.HisactivityatthattimewasnolessastoundingthanitwasinEgypt,inItaly,inAustria,andinPrussia.WedonotknowforcertaininhowfarhisgeniuswasgenuineinEgypt—wherefortycenturieslookeddownuponhisgrandeur—forhisgreatexploitstherearealltoldusbyFrenchmen.WecannotaccuratelyestimatehisgeniusinAustriaorPrussia,forwehavetodrawourinformationfromFrenchorGermansources,andtheincomprehensiblesurrenderofwholecorpswithoutfightingandoffortresseswithoutasiegemustinclineGermanstorecognizehisgeniusastheonlyexplanationofthewarcarriedoninGermany.Butwe,thankGod,havenoneedtorecognizehisgeniusinordertohideourshame.Wehavepaidfortherighttolookatthematterplainlyandsimply,andwewillnotabandonthatright.

           HisactivityinMoscowwasasamazingandasfullofgeniusaselsewhere.OrderafterorderandplanafterplanwereissuedbyhimfromthetimeheenteredMoscowtillthetimeheleftit.Theabsenceofcitizensandofadeputation,andeventheburningofMoscow,didnotdisconcerthim.Hedidnotlosesighteitherofthewelfareofhisarmyorofthedoingsoftheenemy,orofthewelfareofthepeopleofRussia,orofthedirectionofaffairsinParis,orofdiplomaticconsiderationsconcerningthetermsoftheanticipatedpeace.

           

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Roboto Lora
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Сторінка 1842 з 2250