On one occasion the first Napoleon being informed that a certain army
contractor had cheated the government by supplying the troops with very
inferior and insufficient food, sent for him to inquire into the affair.
"How is this?" said the Emperor: "I understand you have been violating
your contract." "Sire," was the answer, "I must live." "No," replied the
monarch, "I do not see the _must_. It is not necessary that you should
live; but it is necessary that you should do right."
908
Too much assertion gives ground of suspicion; truth and honesty have no
need of loud protestations.
909