"It (the Channel) is a mere ditch and will be crossed as soon as someone has the courage to attempt it",

--Napoleon in a letter to Consul Cambaceres, 16.11.1803

"Italy is a mere geographical expression",

--Prince Metternich to Palmerston, 1847.

"A major power like Austria does not collapse without shaking the whole of Europe in its death-throes",

--Archduke Charles, Report of 3.01.1802

"Nothing is more contrary to the new organisation of the mind, of the memory and of the imagination .... . The new (Metric) system of weights and measures will be a stumbling block and a source of difficulties for several generations. It is just tormenting the people with trivia",

--Napoleon, Memoires ecrit a Ste. Helene, Vol. 4 Chap 21, Part 4, 1823- 5.

(My spellchecker suggests "Hollins" should be "holiness" - ED)

Notes

The Things People Say or Well, They Would Say That, Wouldn't They
1808 Court Case: Brothel Payments
Don't Send It Through The Post! Kronprinz Ferdinand (4th) Kurassier Regiment Letters
Dr. David Chandler and Jack Sibley