Napoleon and Robert Fulton
Historical Account★★★★When Napoleon was making plans to invade England, he was told that an American wanted to see him. “T can give him two minutes,” Napoleon said. But two minutes was not long enough to grasp the significance of so revolutionary an idea as a ship propelled by steam. Had Napoleon listened longer to Robert Fulton, the history of the world might have been altered. LONELINESS
— steam. Had Napoleon listened longer
Also attributed to: Unknown
The point
Napoleon dismisses Robert Fulton's idea of a steam-powered ship in just two minutes, missing a chance to change world history. The illustration warns against pride and the danger of not listening to revolutionary ideas.
Scripture
Proverbs 12:15Proverbs 19:20James 1:19Ephesians 5:15-16
Audience
AdultsYouth
Tone
Sobering · Convicting
To tell aloud
under a minute · 42 words
Subjects