Summary
Prince Andrew meets Emperor Francis, expecting to deliver a detailed battle report that could advance his career. Instead, the Emperor asks only basic questions—when did it start, how many miles, what time did someone die—clearly going through the motions without real interest. Andrew realizes he's just checking boxes, not seeking strategic insight. Despite this disappointment, Andrew receives honors and invitations from Austrian nobility. Meanwhile, his friend Bilíbin delivers shocking news: the French have captured a crucial bridge through an elaborate con game. French marshals approached the Austrian commander with white flags, claiming they wanted to negotiate. They flattered him, joked around, and distracted him while French troops quietly secured the bridge. When a sergeant tried to warn about the deception, the French cleverly accused him of insubordination, and the prideful Austrian commander had his own man arrested. Now the Austrian army faces disaster, trapped with the French advancing on multiple fronts. Bilíbin urges Andrew to stay safe and retreat with the diplomats, but Andrew sees this crisis as his chance for glory—his 'Toulon moment' where he'll save the army and make his reputation. The chapter reveals how people respond differently to crisis: some seek safety, others see opportunity. It also shows how social manipulation works—using flattery, authority, and pride to blind people to obvious threats.
Coming Up in Chapter 41
Andrew rushes toward what he believes will be his moment of destiny, but the reality of war may prove far different from his romantic dreams of glory. The French advance continues, and hard choices await.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
At the levee Prince Andrew stood among the Austrian officers as he had been told to, and the Emperor Francis merely looked fixedly into his face and just nodded to him with his long head. But after it was over, the adjutant he had seen the previous day ceremoniously informed Bolkónski that the Emperor desired to give him an audience. The Emperor Francis received him standing in the middle of the room. Before the conversation began Prince Andrew was struck by the fact that the Emperor seemed confused and blushed as if not knowing what to say. “Tell me, when did the battle begin?” he asked hurriedly. Prince Andrew replied. Then followed other questions just as simple: “Was Kutúzov well? When had he left Krems?” and so on. The Emperor spoke as if his sole aim were to put a given number of questions—the answers to these questions, as was only too evident, did not interest him. “At what o’clock did the battle begin?” asked the Emperor. “I cannot inform Your Majesty at what o’clock the battle began at the front, but at Dürrenstein, where I was, our attack began after five in the afternoon,” replied Bolkónski growing more animated and expecting that he would have a chance to give a reliable account, which he had ready in his mind, of all he knew and had seen. But the Emperor smiled and interrupted him. “How many miles?” “From where to where, Your Majesty?” “From Dürrenstein to Krems.” “Three and a half miles, Your Majesty.” “The French have abandoned the left bank?” “According to the scouts the last of them crossed on rafts during the night.” “Is there sufficient forage in Krems?” “Forage has not been supplied to the extent...” The Emperor interrupted him. “At what o’clock was General Schmidt killed?” “At seven o’clock, I believe.” “At seven o’clock? It’s very sad, very sad!” The Emperor thanked Prince Andrew and bowed. Prince Andrew withdrew and was immediately surrounded by courtiers on all sides. Everywhere he saw friendly looks and heard friendly words. Yesterday’s adjutant reproached him for not having stayed at the palace, and offered him his own house. The Minister of War came up and congratulated him on the Maria Theresa Order of the third grade, which the Emperor was conferring on him. The Empress’ chamberlain invited him to see Her Majesty. The archduchess also wished to see him. He did not know whom to answer, and for a few seconds collected his thoughts. Then the Russian ambassador took him by the shoulder, led him to the window, and began to talk to him. Contrary to Bilíbin’s forecast the news he had brought was joyfully received. A thanksgiving service was arranged, Kutúzov was awarded the Grand Cross of Maria Theresa, and the whole army received rewards. Bolkónski was invited everywhere, and had to spend the whole morning calling on the principal Austrian dignitaries. Between four and five in the afternoon, having made all his calls, he was returning to Bilíbin’s...
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 Flattery Blindness - How Sweet Talk Disarms Smart People
Excessive praise of someone's expertise is often a setup to exploit their lowered defenses.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when flattery is being weaponized to bypass someone's critical thinking.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone praises your expertise heavily before making a request—pause and ask what they really want.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Levee
A formal reception where nobility and officials are presented to royalty. It's like a structured meet-and-greet where the emperor shows up, nods at people, and everyone pretends it's meaningful.
Modern Usage:
Think of corporate town halls where the CEO walks around shaking hands but isn't really listening to anyone.
Adjutant
A military officer who acts as an assistant to higher-ranking officers. They handle communications, scheduling, and administrative tasks. Basically the emperor's personal assistant in uniform.
Modern Usage:
Like an executive assistant who manages the boss's calendar and delivers messages to important people.
White flag deception
A military trick where soldiers approach under a flag of truce (supposedly wanting to negotiate peace) but actually use the distraction to gain tactical advantage. It exploits the enemy's honor code.
Modern Usage:
Like when someone calls a 'friendly meeting' to discuss problems but actually comes with lawyers and ultimatums.
Going through the motions
Performing required actions without genuine interest or engagement. The Emperor asks questions because he's supposed to, not because he cares about the answers.
Modern Usage:
When your boss asks 'How was your weekend?' but is already looking at their phone before you answer.
Toulon moment
A reference to Napoleon's early career breakthrough at the siege of Toulon, where he proved himself as a young officer. Represents that crucial moment when someone gets their big break.
Modern Usage:
That career-defining opportunity everyone waits for - like getting to present to the board or landing the big client.
Strategic flattery
Using compliments and ego-stroking to manipulate someone into making bad decisions. The French praised the Austrian commander while setting him up for failure.
Modern Usage:
When someone butters you up with compliments right before asking for a huge favor or trying to sell you something.
Characters in This Chapter
Prince Andrew Bolkonski
Ambitious protagonist
Expects to impress the Emperor with detailed battle intelligence but gets dismissed with superficial questions. Despite the disappointment, he sees the military crisis as his chance for glory rather than retreat to safety.
Modern Equivalent:
The overachiever who prepared a detailed presentation but the boss only asks basic yes/no questions
Emperor Francis
Distracted authority figure
Goes through the motions of debriefing officers but clearly isn't interested in actual strategic information. Asks simple questions like a checklist rather than seeking real intelligence that could help the war effort.
Modern Equivalent:
The CEO who does mandatory check-ins but is obviously thinking about something else
Bilibin
Pragmatic messenger
Delivers the shocking news about the French deception at the bridge and urges Andrew to retreat with the diplomats for safety. Represents the voice of practical wisdom versus romantic ambition.
Modern Equivalent:
The experienced coworker who warns you about office politics and tells you to keep your head down
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The Emperor spoke as if his sole aim were to put a given number of questions—the answers to these questions, as was only too evident, did not interest him."
Context: Describing Emperor Francis during Andrew's audience
This reveals how power often creates distance from reality. The Emperor performs his duty of gathering information but doesn't actually process it. It shows the gap between ceremony and substance in leadership.
In Today's Words:
He was just going through the motions, asking questions because he was supposed to, not because he actually wanted to know.
"But the Emperor smiled and interrupted him."
Context: When Andrew tries to give his prepared detailed report
This moment crushes Andrew's expectations and shows how prepared expertise often gets dismissed by those in power. The smile makes the dismissal even more patronizing.
In Today's Words:
The boss cut him off with a fake smile, clearly not interested in hearing the actual details.
"They flattered him, joked around, and distracted him while French troops quietly secured the bridge."
Context: Explaining how the French tricked the Austrian commander
This shows how social manipulation works - using charm and ego-stroking to blind people to obvious threats. The Austrian commander's pride made him vulnerable to deception.
In Today's Words:
They buttered him up and kept him busy chatting while they pulled off the real scheme behind his back.
Thematic Threads
Deception
In This Chapter
French marshals use elaborate social manipulation to capture the bridge through misdirection and flattery
Development
Builds on earlier themes of social masks and hidden motives in aristocratic society
In Your Life:
You might encounter this when someone compliments your skills excessively before asking for a big favor
Pride
In This Chapter
The Austrian commander's pride in his authority makes him dismiss warnings and arrest his own sergeant
Development
Continues exploring how pride creates blind spots that others can exploit
In Your Life:
Your expertise in one area might make you overconfident and miss red flags in related situations
Opportunity
In This Chapter
Prince Andrew sees the military crisis as his chance for career-defining glory rather than a disaster to avoid
Development
Shows how different people respond to the same crisis based on their personal ambitions
In Your Life:
You might recognize moments when others see problems but you see your chance to step up and prove yourself
Authority
In This Chapter
Social manipulation works by exploiting respect for hierarchy and making the commander complicit in his own deception
Development
Examines how authority structures can be turned against themselves
In Your Life:
You might notice how people use your position or expertise to manipulate you into decisions that serve their interests
Recognition
In This Chapter
Prince Andrew receives honors from the Emperor but realizes the recognition is hollow and bureaucratic
Development
Explores the gap between meaningful achievement and empty ceremonial acknowledgment
In Your Life:
You might experience moments when official recognition feels meaningless because it doesn't reflect real understanding of your work
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why did the Austrian commander believe the French marshals instead of his own sergeant who tried to warn him?
analysis • surface - 2
What made the French deception so effective - was it just the lies, or something deeper about how they approached the commander?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen people use excessive flattery or praise to get what they want in your workplace, relationships, or community?
application • medium - 4
When someone compliments your skills or expertise heavily before asking for something, what warning signs should you look for?
application • deep - 5
Why are competent, experienced people sometimes more vulnerable to manipulation than those who are less skilled?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Spot the Setup
Think of a recent situation where someone praised you heavily before asking for something - a favor, money, agreement to something. Write down exactly what they said and how they said it. Then analyze: What did they compliment? How did it make you feel? What did they want? Did you give it to them?
Consider:
- •Notice if the praise was unusually specific or over-the-top compared to normal interactions
- •Pay attention to timing - did the request come immediately after the flattery?
- •Consider whether they praised something you're particularly proud of or insecure about
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone's flattery made you ignore red flags or warning signs from others. What would you do differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 41: When Systems Collapse Around You
As the story unfolds, you'll explore to maintain personal standards when everything around you is falling apart, while uncovering standing up for others reveals your true character under pressure. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.