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Charles De Gaulle

French general and statesman who became very popular during World War II as the leader of the Free French forces in exile (1890-1970)

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Famous quotes by Charles De Gaulle:Sort:PopularA - Z

You start out giving your hat, then you give your coat, then your shirt, then your skin and finally your soul.
How can one conceive of a one-party system in a country that has over 200 varieties of cheeses
Treaties are like roses and young girls. They last while they last.
The national task that had been incumbent upon me for 18 years is hereby confirmed.
A great country worthy of the name does not have any friends.
As an adolescent ... I was convinced that France would have to go through gigantic trials, that the interest of life consisted in one day rendering her some signal service and that I would have the occasion to do so.
Deliberation is the function of many, action is the function of one.
Diplomats are useful only in fair weather. As soon as it rains they drown in every drop.
For glory gives herself only to those who have always dreamed of her.
How can anyone govern a nation that has 246 different kinds of cheese
How can one conceive of a one party system in a country that has over 200 varieties of cheese.
How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese
How do you govern a country which has 246 different kinds of cheese?
I have against me the bourgeois, the military and the diplomats, and for me, only the people who take the Mtro.
I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.
I have heard your views. They do not harmonize with mine. The decision is taken unanimously.
I have tried to lift France out of the mud. But she will return to her errors and vomitings. I cannot prevent the French from being French.
I predict you will sink step by step into a bottomless quagmire, however much you spend in men and money. (On Vietnam War)
I respect only those who resist me, but I cannot tolerate them.
In order to become the master the politician poses as the servant.
In order to become the master, the politician poses as the servant.
In politics it is necessary either to betray one's country of the electorate. I prefer to betray the electorate.
It will not be any European statesman who will unite Europe Europe will be united by the Chinese.
Love is the strongest force the world possesses, and yet it is the Greatness of a road leading towards the unknown.
My dear and old country, here we are once again together faced with a heavy trial.
Nothing great will ever be achieved without great men, and men are great only if they are determined to be so.
Now I shall return to my village and there will remain at the disposition of the nation.
Once upon a time there was an old country, wrapped up in habit and caution. ... We have to transform our old France into a new country and marry it to its time.
Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.
Silence is the ultimate weapon of power.
Since a politician never believes what he says, he is quite surprised to be taken at his word.
Since a politician never believes what he says, he is surprised when others believe him.
The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.
The graveyards are full of indispensable men.
The great leaders have always stage-managed their effects.
The perfection preached in the Gospels never yet built up an empire. Every man of action has a strong dose of egotism, pride, hardness, and cunning. But all those things will be forgiven him, indeed, they will be regarded as high qualities, if he can make of them the means to achieve great ends.
To govern is always to choose among disadvantages.
What do you take me for, an idiot
When I want to know what France thinks, I ask myself.
You may be sure that the Americans will commit all the stupidities they can think of, plus some that are beyond imagination.

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