Summary
Napoleon spends a sleepless night before the Battle of Borodino, revealing the human anxiety beneath his imperial facade. He jokes with his aide de Beausset about court gossip, comparing himself to a confident surgeon preparing for operation—but his casual demeanor masks deep nervousness about tomorrow's battle. Unable to sleep despite exhaustion and a worsening cold, Napoleon wanders his tent at 3 AM, obsessively checking details already handled. His conversation with General Rapp reveals troubling thoughts: his army has shrunk dramatically since Smolensk, and he admits that 'Fortune is frankly a courtesan.' Yet he clings to philosophical musings about the body being 'a machine for living' and defines military art as simply 'being stronger than the enemy at a given moment.' As dawn breaks, Napoleon rides to his command post, where the first cannon shots announce that 'the game had begun.' This chapter exposes how even history's most powerful figures experience pre-performance anxiety. Napoleon's restless energy, need for distraction, and repetitive questioning mirror what anyone faces before a major life event—job interviews, medical procedures, difficult conversations. His attempt to maintain control through routine and philosophy shows both strength and vulnerability. The contrast between his public confidence and private worry reminds us that leadership often means performing calm while feeling anything but calm inside.
Coming Up in Chapter 220
The Battle of Borodino begins in earnest as Napoleon takes his position to direct one of history's bloodiest single days of combat. The fate of Russia—and Napoleon's empire—hangs in the balance.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
On returning from a second inspection of the lines, Napoleon remarked: “The chessmen are set up, the game will begin tomorrow!” Having ordered punch and summoned de Beausset, he began to talk to him about Paris and about some changes he meant to make in the Empress’ household, surprising the prefect by his memory of minute details relating to the court. He showed an interest in trifles, joked about de Beausset’s love of travel, and chatted carelessly, as a famous, self-confident surgeon who knows his job does when turning up his sleeves and putting on his apron while a patient is being strapped to the operating table. “The matter is in my hands and is clear and definite in my head. When the time comes to set to work I shall do it as no one else could, but now I can jest, and the more I jest and the calmer I am the more tranquil and confident you ought to be, and the more amazed at my genius.” Having finished his second glass of punch, Napoleon went to rest before the serious business which, he considered, awaited him next day. He was so much interested in that task that he was unable to sleep, and in spite of his cold which had grown worse from the dampness of the evening, he went into the large division of the tent at three o’clock in the morning, loudly blowing his nose. He asked whether the Russians had not withdrawn, and was told that the enemy’s fires were still in the same places. He nodded approval. The adjutant in attendance came into the tent. “Well, Rapp, do you think we shall do good business today?” Napoleon asked him. “Without doubt, sire,” replied Rapp. Napoleon looked at him. “Do you remember, sire, what you did me the honor to say at Smolénsk?” continued Rapp. “The wine is drawn and must be drunk.” Napoleon frowned and sat silent for a long time leaning his head on his hand. “This poor army!” he suddenly remarked. “It has diminished greatly since Smolénsk. Fortune is frankly a courtesan, Rapp. I have always said so and I am beginning to experience it. But the Guards, Rapp, the Guards are intact?” he remarked interrogatively. “Yes, sire,” replied Rapp. Napoleon took a lozenge, put it in his mouth, and glanced at his watch. He was not sleepy and it was still not nearly morning. It was impossible to give further orders for the sake of killing time, for the orders had all been given and were now being executed. “Have the biscuits and rice been served out to the regiments of the Guards?” asked Napoleon sternly. “Yes, sire.” “The rice too?” Rapp replied that he had given the Emperor’s order about the rice, but Napoleon shook his head in dissatisfaction as if not believing that his order had been executed. An attendant came in with punch. Napoleon ordered another glass to be brought for Rapp, and silently sipped his own....
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Pre-Performance Anxiety
The mind races most when it needs to be calm, creating restless energy before high-stakes moments.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when anxiety stems from high stakes rather than poor preparation, and how even powerful people experience this universal pattern.
Practice This Today
Next time you can't sleep before an important event, notice if you're obsessively checking details already handled—this signals normal pre-performance nerves, not inadequate preparation.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Pre-battle anxiety
The psychological state of commanders and soldiers before major combat, characterized by restlessness, overthinking, and attempts to maintain control through routine. Napoleon's sleepless night shows how even the most powerful leaders experience performance anxiety.
Modern Usage:
We see this same pattern before job interviews, medical procedures, or any high-stakes situation where we can't sleep and keep checking details we've already handled.
Performative confidence
Acting calm and in control publicly while feeling anxious privately. Napoleon jokes and appears relaxed with his staff while internally obsessing over battle preparations and outcomes.
Modern Usage:
This is the 'fake it till you make it' mentality we use in leadership roles, presentations, or parenting when we need to project stability.
Command isolation
The loneliness of decision-makers who must appear confident while bearing ultimate responsibility. Napoleon wanders his tent alone at 3 AM, unable to share his real fears with subordinates.
Modern Usage:
CEOs, single parents, or anyone in charge often experience this same isolation when making tough decisions that affect others.
Fortune as courtesan
Napoleon's metaphor comparing luck in war to a prostitute - unpredictable, fickle, and not truly loyal to anyone. It reveals his understanding that success depends partly on factors beyond his control.
Modern Usage:
We use similar language about luck in business, relationships, or life - 'what goes around comes around' or 'you make your own luck.'
Military philosophy
Napoleon's attempt to reduce complex warfare to simple principles, like defining military art as 'being stronger than the enemy at a given moment.' This shows his need to impose order on chaos.
Modern Usage:
We do this when we create life rules or business principles to help navigate uncertain situations - 'work smarter not harder' or 'treat others as you want to be treated.'
Borodino
The massive 1812 battle between Napoleon's forces and the Russian army that would prove to be a pyrrhic victory for the French. This chapter shows Napoleon on the eve of this crucial engagement.
Modern Usage:
We use 'pyrrhic victory' today for wins that cost more than they're worth - like getting a promotion that destroys your family life.
Characters in This Chapter
Napoleon
Protagonist facing his greatest test
Shows the human side of absolute power - anxious, sleepless, trying to control his fear through routine and philosophy. His casual jokes mask deep worry about tomorrow's battle and his shrinking army.
Modern Equivalent:
The CEO before a major product launch or merger
de Beausset
Court official and unwitting audience
Serves as Napoleon's distraction from pre-battle anxiety. Napoleon talks to him about trivial court matters to avoid thinking about the coming battle, showing how leaders use small talk to manage stress.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker you chat with to avoid thinking about a big presentation
General Rapp
Military aide and reality check
Provides Napoleon with sobering military facts - the army has shrunk significantly since Smolensk. His presence forces Napoleon to confront the harsh realities behind his confident facade.
Modern Equivalent:
The honest friend or advisor who tells you the truth you don't want to hear
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The chessmen are set up, the game will begin tomorrow!"
Context: After inspecting battle lines, Napoleon tries to sound confident about the coming engagement
This metaphor reveals Napoleon's attempt to distance himself emotionally from the reality of thousands of deaths by treating war like a chess game. It shows both his strategic mindset and his psychological need to depersonalize the violence.
In Today's Words:
Everything's in place - let's see what happens tomorrow!
"Fortune is frankly a courtesan"
Context: During his restless conversation with General Rapp about the battle's uncertain outcome
This crude metaphor reveals Napoleon's growing awareness that success isn't entirely in his control. Comparing fortune to a prostitute suggests something unreliable and transactional rather than loyal.
In Today's Words:
Luck doesn't care about you - it goes wherever it wants
"The more I jest and the calmer I am the more tranquil and confident you ought to be"
Context: Explaining to de Beausset why he's joking before such a serious battle
This reveals Napoleon's conscious performance of confidence for his subordinates' benefit. He understands that leadership requires managing others' emotions, even when you're anxious yourself.
In Today's Words:
If I look relaxed, you can relax too - that's how this works
"The body is a machine for living"
Context: Philosophical musing during his sleepless night before battle
Napoleon tries to reduce human existence to mechanical terms, perhaps to distance himself from the mortality he'll face tomorrow. It's both profound and a defense mechanism against fear.
In Today's Words:
We're all just biological machines trying to keep running
Thematic Threads
Power
In This Chapter
Napoleon's absolute authority cannot shield him from basic human anxiety and physical discomfort
Development
Continues theme of power's limitations seen throughout the war chapters
In Your Life:
Your position at work doesn't protect you from feeling nervous before difficult conversations
Identity
In This Chapter
Napoleon must perform confidence while privately experiencing doubt and worry
Development
Builds on earlier themes of public versus private selves
In Your Life:
You might project calm competence while internally questioning your abilities
Control
In This Chapter
Napoleon obsessively checks details already handled, seeking control through repetitive action
Development
Echoes earlier patterns of characters trying to control uncontrollable situations
In Your Life:
You might over-prepare or repeatedly check things when facing situations beyond your control
Human Nature
In This Chapter
Even history's most powerful figure experiences sleeplessness and seeks distraction before crucial moments
Development
Reinforces Tolstoy's consistent theme that fundamental human experiences transcend status
In Your Life:
Your basic human needs and reactions are the same regardless of your job title or responsibilities
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific behaviors show Napoleon's anxiety before the battle, and how does he try to manage his nerves?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Napoleon seek distraction through gossip and philosophy instead of focusing directly on battle preparations?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen this same pattern of pre-performance anxiety in your own life or workplace?
application • medium - 4
When you're facing a high-stakes situation, what strategies help you channel nervous energy productively rather than letting it consume you?
application • deep - 5
What does Napoleon's sleepless night reveal about the gap between public confidence and private worry in leadership roles?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Pre-Performance Pattern
Think of the last time you faced a high-stakes situation—job interview, medical procedure, difficult conversation, important presentation. Write down exactly how you behaved in the hours before: what you did with your hands, where your mind went, how you tried to calm yourself. Compare your pattern to Napoleon's restless checking and distraction-seeking.
Consider:
- •Notice whether you repeat the same behaviors before every big moment
- •Identify which coping strategies actually helped versus which just burned nervous energy
- •Consider how you might work with your anxiety pattern rather than fighting it
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you had to perform confidence while feeling anxious inside. How did you manage that gap between what others saw and what you felt?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 220: The Beauty of Battle
In the next chapter, you'll discover perspective shapes our understanding of intense situations, and learn we're drawn to witness history even when it's dangerous. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.