Bonaparte, convinced that an armistice without Mantua would by no means conduce to peace, earnestly opposed such a condition.

He carried his point; Mantua capitulated, and the result is well known.

Yet he was not blind to the hazards of war; while preparing, during the blockade, an assault on Mantua, he wrote thus to the Directory: "A bold stroke of this nature depends absolutely for success on a dog or a goose." This was about a question of surprise.
Bonaparte was exceedingly sensitive to the rumours which reached him respecting Carnot and Berthier.

He one day said to me: "What gross stupidity, is this?
It is very well to say to a general, 'Depart for Italy, gain battles, and sign a peace at Vienna;' but the execution that is not so easy.

I never attached any value to the plans which the Directory sent me.