His father was appointed to the high office of Napoleon's minister of war in 1799. Lazare Carnot resigned in 1807 and devoted himself to the education of his two sons. Sadi had a fine teacher in his father, who taught him mathematics and science as well as languages and music.
Kanyang ama ay hihirangin upang angkinin ang mataas na tanggapan ng Napoleon's ministro ng digmaan sa 1799. Lazare Carnot nakatalaga sa 1807 at mapagmahal sa kanyang sarili ang edukasyon ng kanyang dalawang anak. Sadi nagkaroon ng isang mabuting guro sa kanyang ama, na nagtuturo siya sa matematika at agham, pati na rin ang mga wika at musika.