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Unverified

Did Napoleon say, 'Never interrupt your enemy while he's making a mistake'?

The claim that Napoleon said, 'Never interrupt your enemy while he's making a mistake,' is unverified.

History Quotes Last checked Apr 10, 2026

Key points

  • No definitive evidence supports Napoleon having made this statement.
  • The quote does not appear in known records of Napoleon’s sayings or writings.
  • Similar phrases exist but are attributed to other historical figures.

Explanation

There is no clear and reliable source attributing the exact phrase 'Never interrupt your enemy while he's making a mistake' to Napoleon Bonaparte. Historical documents and biographies do not contain this specific quote. However, variations of this sentiment exist in different forms attributed to other historical figures. The lack of direct evidence makes it difficult to verify or refute the claim.