The quote, "I am sometimes a fox and sometimes a lion. The whole secret of government lies in knowing when to be the one or the other," is attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and later became Emperor of the French.
The point being made in this quote is about leadership and governance. Napoleon was emphasizing the importance of adaptability and knowing when to display different characteristics based on the circumstances at hand. The fox represents cunning, strategic thinking, and flexibility, while the lion represents strength, boldness, and decisiveness.
The quote suggests that a successful leader should possess a combination of these qualities and should be able to switch between being cunning like a fox or being strong and decisive like a lion, depending on the challenges they face and the goals they seek to achieve. It highlights the need for leaders to be versatile and pragmatic in their approach to governance, recognizing that different situations may call for different strategies and behaviors.