Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon 1st) was Emperor of France from 1804–1814 and again in 1815.
He is one of the most famous leaders in the history of the world. He is primarily known for his military leadership, which included great successes against the most powerful countries in Europe who were also allied against him.
Eventually, though, his ego led to catastrophic failures, including an invasion of Russia which ultimately destroyed his “Grand Army” in Russia’s deep snow and below-freezing temperatures.
Still, by any measure, Napoleon was a extremely successful military and political leader. From modest beginnings he became one of the greatest leaders in the history of the world.
He had great intelligence and wisdom, and there are many famous quotes attributed to him.
Napoleon’s most famous quote was: “Never interrupt your opponent when he is making a mistake.”
The problem with this quote is that it’s BAD advice!!
Humans act based on their perception and analysis, then they formulate a plan, and then they act.
In a self-defense scenario where you are being threatened or feel threatened, depending on the circumstances, you may be at real risk of immediate attack. An attack in which you could be harmed with permanent life-changing injuries or death, even if that was not the attacker’s original intent. There are also life-changing psychological injuries that could result from you being victimized, not to mention financial consequences. You will likely be sued, which could happen even though YOU WERE ATTACKED! (He, the attacker, “was such a good boy”, according to his mother.)
An impending attack can be identified by a threats behavior. If he is exhibiting pre-attack indicators such as: glancing, hiding his hands, clenching his fists, or asking stupid or inappropriate questions (what time is it? When everyone has a cell phone), as he attempts to close the distance between you.
So he has a plan and he is in front of you, what should you do? You should interrupt his plan by attacking him and wrecking his plans! He will have to start over and figure out what is going on and what he is going to do! He has to perceive-analyze-formulate and, most of all — act! But you are already raining hard strikes on his head so he is stuck in a loop way behind you, and (hopefully) he may just run or fall so you can escape!
That is why Napoleon was WRONG! You definitely should interrupt an opponent when he is making a mistake — when he is planning to attack you!