When Napoleon was general-in-chief of the French army in Italy, a hussar brought him a letter, just as he was mounting his horse to join a hunting party. He opened the letter, wrote an answer almost instantly, and ordered the hussar to carry it with all possible speed.
"I would do so," replied the soldier, "but my horse is nigh dead, with the haste which I have used in bringing you this letter."
"If that is an obstacle, take mine," said the general.
The soldier at first would not accept of it. "Go, my comrade," rejoined Napoleon. "It may be better - it may have richer trappings than yours; but nothing is too magnificent for a French soldier."
拿破崙將軍在義大利為法軍總司令期間，有一次正準備上馬，參加狩獵，一個輕騎兵給他帶來一封書函。拿破崙開緘讀後，隨即寫了回信，着那騎兵火速送去。
那騎兵說：「我不是不想聽命，但為了盡早把信送到你手上，我一路飛馳，那匹馬已是疲累欲死。」
拿破崙說：「既然那匹馬跑不動，就騎我的吧。」
那騎兵最初不同意。拿破崙說：「老兄，去吧。我這匹馬也許好一點，馬飾也許華麗一點，但天下最好的東西，法國將士都配得上。」