[The following illustrates the advantages of a happy retort, the importance
of a felicitous phrase, or of quick thought and ready speech. It might be
said that the preceding speaker was as ready as:]
When Napoleon (then a student at Brienne) was asked how he would supply
himself with provisions in a closely-invested town, he answered, without a
moment's hesitation, "From the enemy," which so pleased the examiners that
they passed him without further questions.
10. [The Russian General Suvaroff is said to have promoted one of his
sergeants for giving substantially the same answer.]
The Emperor Paul, of Russia, was so provoked by the awkwardness of an
officer on review that he ordered him to resign at once and retire to his
estate. "But he has no estate," the commander ventured. "Then give him
one!" thundered the despot, whose word was law, and the man gained more by
his blunders than he could have done by years of the most skillful service.