Владимир Дубковский – Nectar for Your Soul (страница 2)
About the Authors
Vladimir Dubkovskiy was born in 1953 in Leningrad (modern day Saint Petersburg). After graduating from law school at Leningrad State University, he served with the Military Prosecutor’s Office as a Captain of Justice. He then worked as a prosecutor in the Investigations Department of the Leningrad Public Prosecutor’s Office, was a member of the International Bar Association, a reporter for the newspaper
Vladimir was awarded the title “Honorary Citizen of the City of Memphis,” (Tennessee, USA) for his contributions to the development of Russian-American cultural relations (during his work at “Hermitage”). His literary and scientific activities served as the basis for his election to the position of Associate Academician of the International Informatization Academy (in General Consultative Status of the United Nations).
Valeria Dubkovskaya graduated from law school at Leningrad State University, where she studied with Vladimir, to whom she was married in 1975. For twelve years she worked as the Head of a Section of the Civil Registry Office before becoming Vladimir’s partner in all his endeavors.
Since 1999, she has headed the School and Academy of System Business together with Vladimir. She holds both Russian and international seminars. She is the author of many lectures and psychological training programs, and a brilliant orator. An active member of the Eurasian Academy of Business, she has been awarded many prizes and diplomas for her contributions to the training of managers from a large number of companies.
Valeria is also a mother of two children: a shining example of womanhood in the business world. She is referred to as “Soul of the Academy” and “Guiding Light” by her thankful students. She has received wide recognition from participants for her musical training programs “House of My Dreams,” “Person of the New System” and many others. But Valeria has been carried to legendary status by her “prophetic” blessing-autographs, which are inevitably fulfilled.
Chapter 1.
Where is happiness hiding?
Napoleon Bonaparte gloomily walked on the shores of Saint Helena. The year was 1818, the third year of his exile after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo and his abdication from the throne. Like all those doomed to a life of imprisonment, he now lived only on memories, reliving in his mind, day by day, his eventful, turbulent life. For what was already the tenth time, he recalled all the episodes of combat and romantic exploits, faithfulness and betrayal, accomplishments and mistakes…
“In my life there were but three wonderful days: Marengo, Austerlitz and Jena, if you don’t count a fourth, when I granted an audience to the Austrian Emperor, in a ditch on the field of battle,” he unexpectedly broke the silence.
Napoleon’s companion on his walk, the Count Emmanuel de Las Cases, stopped and produced his notebook.
“This, I cannot believe, Your Excellence!” he cried, hastily making a note, fearing to miss even one word.
Las Cases, who had been an officer in Napoleon’s entourage and a faithful servant, had agreed to voluntarily share in his vanquished emperor’s exile. He was Napoleon’s most regular companion on his short daily walks, during which he meticulously recorded all Napoleon’s remarks in his notebook.
“Nevertheless, it is so,” Napoleon sighed sadly.
“But even Alexander the Great did not achieve fame such as yours!” objected Las Cases “and his glory burned brightly for many years!”
“If you consider the essence of fame, you will come to the conclusion that it amounts to very little,” responded Napoleon, “It is no reason for pride, no matter the words of the ignorant, praises of fools, or the approval or vilification of the crowd.”
“I remember well what honors you were given by your soldiers and the people after your great victories. Were you then not happy?”
“Such honors were pleasing only at the beginning of my successes,” Napoleon sadly shook his head, “Those who strive for honors are like lovers: the conquest devaluates the prize.”
“But you were the richest monarch in Europe, your wealth was envied by kings!” Las Cases refused to yield.
“Those who search for happiness in luxury and extravagance are like people who prefer the glow of candles to the light of the Sun,” Napoleon noted philosophically.
Waiting for Las Cases to finish writing this phrase, Napoleon uttered the following:
“The strong-willed avoid indulgence like ship’s navigators avoid rocks.”
It is difficult to suspect Napoleon of insincerity. All suspicions that the abased emperor was lying when he admitted the unhappiness of his famous life disappear once one has read all his dictums that Las Cases scrupulously recorded in his notebook for posterity. Now anybody can read his words; after Napoleon’s death, Las Cases’s notebook was published in France under the title
What did Napoleon lack that he needed for happiness? He achieved all those things which people usually strive to attain: fame, power and wealth. Perhaps love? In the letters of Las Cases there is not a word about this, but history has been preserved in Napoleon’s letters to Joséphine, which were written twenty years before his exile and which shine a bright light on their relationship. There were many such letters, but two are sufficient to understand who loved and who was loved in their marriage.
Letter of April 3, 1796:
There were many such letters, but few replies.
Napoleon’s letter from November 13, 1796: