One does not arrest Voltaire.
The great leaders have always stage-managed their effects.
The graveyards are full of indispensable men.
The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.
Since a politician never believes what he says, he is quite surprised to be taken at his word.
Silence is the ultimate weapon of power.
Politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.
The leader must aim high, see big, judge widely, thus setting himself apart form the ordinary people who debate in narrow confines.
Only peril can bring the French together. One can’t impose unity out of the blue on a country that has 265 different kinds of cheese.
Treaties are like roses and young girls. They last while they last.
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.
Nothing great will ever be achieved without great men, and men are great only if they are determined to be so.
No nation has friends only interests.
Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.
The sword is the axis of the world and its power is absolute.
The true statesman is the one who is willing to take risks.
To govern is always to choose among disadvantages.
Treaties, you see, are like girls and roses; they last while they last.
We are not here to laugh.
When I am right, I get angry. Churchill gets angry when he is wrong. We are angry at each other much of the time.
When I want to know what France thinks, I ask myself.
You have to be fast on your feet and adaptive or else a strategy is useless.
You may be sure that the Americans will commit all the stupidities they can think of, plus some that are beyond imagination.
You start out giving your hat, then you give your coat, then your shirt, then your skin and finally your soul.
You’ll live. Only the best get killed.
Old age is a shipwreck.
No country without an atom bomb could properly consider itself independent.
There can be no prestige without mystery, for familiarity breeds contempt.
Deliberation is the work of many men. Action, of one alone.
One cannot govern with ‘buts’.
Never relinquish the initiative.
A true leader always keeps an element of surprise up his sleeve, which others cannot grasp but which keeps his public excited and breathless.
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.
Authority doesn’t work without prestige, or prestige without distance.
Church is the only place where someone speaks to me and I do not have to answer back.
Diplomats are useful only in fair weather. As soon as it rains they drown in every drop.
Don’t ask me who’s influenced me. A lion is made up of the lambs he’s digested, and I’ve been reading all my life.
Faced with crisis, the man of character falls back on himself. He imposes his own stamp of action, takes responsibility for it, makes it his own.
For glory gives herself only to those who have always dreamed of her.
France cannot be France without greatness.
France has lost the battle but she has not lost the war.
Greatness is a road leading towards the unknown.
Hearing Mass is the ceremony I most favor during my travels. Church is the only place where someone speaks to me and I do not have to answer back.
In the tumult of men and events, solitude was my temptation; now it is my friend. What other satisfaction can be sought once you have confronted History?
China is a big country, inhabited by many Chinese.
How can anyone govern a nation that has two hundred and forty-six different kinds of cheese?
In politics it is necessary either to betray one’s country or the electorate. I prefer to betray the electorate.
A great country worthy of the name does not have any friends.
In order to become the master, the politician poses as the servant.
It is not tolerable, it is not possible, that from so much death, so much sacrifice and ruin, so much heroism, a greater and better humanity shall not emerge.
I was France.
I respect only those who resist me, but I cannot tolerate them.
I might have had trouble saving France in 1946 – I didn’t have television then.
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 have heard your views. They do not harmonize with mine. The decision is taken unanimously.
I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.
I have against me the bourgeois, the military and the diplomats, and for me, only the people who take the Metro.
I grew up to always respect authority and respect those in charge.
Top 50 Motivational Quotes of Charles De Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle, a towering figure in 20th-century French history, emerges not just as a statesman but as a symbol of resilience, determination, and unwavering patriotism. Born on November 22, 1890, in Lille, France, he would go on to become one of the most influential leaders in French history. His life and legacy are marked by his leadership during World War II, his role in shaping post-war Europe, and his impact on French politics through the tumultuous decades that followed.
Early Life and Military Career of Charles De Gaulle
De Gaulle was born into a devout Catholic family of minor nobility. His father, Henri de Gaulle, was a teacher of literature and philosophy, while his mother, Jeanne Maillot, came from a family of rich entrepreneurs. Raised in a strict environment with a strong sense of duty and honor, Charles de Gaulle developed a deep love for his country from an early age.
In 1909, he entered the prestigious military academy of Saint-Cyr, where he excelled academically and displayed natural leadership qualities. Graduating in 1912, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 33rd Infantry Regiment. His military career took off during World War I when he was wounded and captured at the Battle of Verdun in 1916. Despite spending nearly three years in German prisoner-of-war camps, De Gaulle remained resolute and even made several unsuccessful escape attempts.
His experiences during the war profoundly influenced his worldview, leading him to advocate for a strong, independent France capable of defending itself against external threats. This conviction would shape his political ideology and inform his future decisions as a leader.
Rise to Prominence
After the war, De Gaulle continued to rise through the ranks of the French military, advocating for the modernization of France’s armed forces and the development of armored warfare tactics. He gained recognition for his innovative ideas and strategic insights, earning promotions and appointments to key positions within the military establishment.
However, it was during the dark days of World War II that De Gaulle would truly come to the forefront of French politics. Following the German invasion of France in 1940, he refused to accept the armistice negotiated by the French government and fled to London, where he made his famous radio broadcast on June 18, 1940, calling on the French people to resist the German occupation.
This defiant act marked the beginning of De Gaulle’s leadership of the Free French Forces, the government-in-exile recognized by the Allies. From his base in London, he worked tirelessly to rally support for the French Resistance and coordinate military efforts against the Axis powers.
The Liberation of France
As the war progressed, De Gaulle played a crucial role in the liberation of France. He led the Free French Forces in campaigns across North Africa, Italy, and ultimately, the invasion of Normandy in June 1944. His leadership and strategic acumen were instrumental in the success of these operations, earning him the respect and admiration of his fellow countrymen.
On August 25, 1944, following the Allied liberation of Paris, De Gaulle made a triumphant return to the French capital, where he was greeted as a hero by jubilant crowds. He quickly set about establishing a provisional government and restoring French sovereignty, laying the groundwork for the country’s post-war reconstruction.
Architect of the New France
In the aftermath of World War II, De Gaulle emerged as the preeminent figure in French politics. His vision of a strong, independent France guided his efforts to rebuild the country and assert its influence on the world stage. As president of the provisional government and later as president of the French Republic, he implemented a series of far-reaching reforms aimed at modernizing the economy, strengthening the military, and promoting French culture and identity.
One of De Gaulle’s most significant achievements was the drafting of a new constitution in 1958, which established the framework for the Fifth Republic and granted the president sweeping powers. This constitution, which remains in effect today, transformed France into a semi-presidential system characterized by a strong executive branch.
Under De Gaulle’s leadership, France pursued a policy of “grandeur,” seeking to assert its independence from both the United States and the Soviet Union while maintaining its status as a major world power. He withdrew France from NATO’s integrated military command structure in 1966, a move aimed at asserting French sovereignty and asserting its independence on the world stage.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite his many accomplishments, De Gaulle’s presidency was not without its challenges and controversies. His authoritarian style of leadership and uncompromising demeanor alienated many within the political establishment, leading to frequent clashes with opponents and critics.
One of the most divisive issues of his presidency was the question of Algeria. De Gaulle inherited a colonial war in Algeria that had been raging for years, with no end in sight. Despite his personal attachment to Algeria, he recognized the futility of trying to hold onto the colony and made the difficult decision to grant Algeria independence in 1962, a move that sparked outrage among many French settlers and military officers.
De Gaulle’s decision to withdraw France from NATO’s military command structure also caused consternation among Western allies, who viewed it as a betrayal of the collective defense principle. However, De Gaulle remained steadfast in his belief that France’s interests were best served by pursuing an independent foreign policy.
Legacy
Charles de Gaulle resigned from the presidency in 1969 after a failed referendum on administrative decentralization, bringing an end to his political career. He retired to his home in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, where he spent his remaining years writing his memoirs and reflecting on his life and legacy.
De Gaulle passed away on November 9, 1970, but his influence endures to this day. He is remembered as a visionary leader who steered France through some of its most challenging moments, leaving behind a legacy of strength, determination, and unwavering commitment to the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Charles de Gaulle’s life and career are a testament to the power of conviction and the ability of one individual to shape the course of history. From his early days as a young officer to his tenure as president of the French Republic, he remained steadfast in his devotion to France and its people, earning him a place among the greatest leaders of the 20th century.