Who said “Let France have good mothers, and she will have good sons.”?

Disputed

It's credited to Napoleon Bonaparte, but no reliable source from their lifetime has been found.

What the research foundNo reliable early source found for Napoleon Bonaparte.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

APA

“Let France have good mothers, and she will have good sons.” [Quotation attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29841-let-france-have-good-mothers-and-she-will/

MLA

“Let France have good mothers, and she will have good sons.” Attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29841-let-france-have-good-mothers-and-she-will/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“Let France have good mothers, and she will have good sons.” Attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29841-let-france-have-good-mothers-and-she-will/.