"A celebrated people lose dignity upon a closer view"

This quote by Napoleon Bonaparte recommends that when a group of individuals is commemorated, they may not be as excellent as they seem. Upon closer inspection, their defects and weaknesses might be revealed, triggering them to lose their self-respect. This could be translated as a cautioning to not be too fast to admire individuals or groups, as they may not be as best as they seem. It could also be interpreted as a tip to be humble and to not take excessive pride in one's accomplishments, as they might not be as outstanding as they appear. Ultimately, this quote acts as a tip to be mindful of our own flaws and to not be too quick to evaluate others.