Quotes from Charles de Gaulle

Silence is the ultimate weapon of power.

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.

France cannot be France without greatness.

Authority doesn't work without prestige, or prestige without distance.

Whatever happens, the flame of the French resistance must not and shall not die.

France has lost a battle. But France has not lost the war.

France has lost the battle but she has not lost the war.

Politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.

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.

In politics it is necessary either to betray one's country or the electorate. I prefer to betray the electorate.

I grew up to always respect authority and respect those in charge.

I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.

The sword is the axis of the world and its power is absolute.

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?

Deliberation is a function of the many; action is the function of one.

I respect only those who resist me, but I cannot tolerate them.

The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.

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.

Church is the only place where someone speaks to me and I do not have to answer back.

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.

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.