Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

29 Charles De Gaulle Quotes That Are Still Relevant

Famous As: Former French President & Army Officer Who Led 'Free France' against Nazi Germany in World War II
Born On: November 22, 1890
Died On: November 9, 1970
Born In: Lille, France
Founder / Co Founder: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives, Free France, Rally of the French People, École nationale d'administration, Elf Aquitaine, French Community, CNES
Died At Age: 79

Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was the 18th President of France and a prominent figure in the French Cold War era, whose ideas still continue to impact the governance of the country. Renowned for being the spearhead of Free France, he was also the head of the Provisional Government of the French Republic before his presidency. He served in the French Army for more than thirty years and progressed to the rank of Brigade General. He played a crucial role in both the World Wars. He received countless honors including Grand-Croix of the Légion d'honneur, Knight of the Order of the Elephant, Medal of Honour of the Congress of Peru and many more. We have curated some of his most famous thoughts from his life, writings, speeches, observations etc. Zoom through these quotes and sayings from this French leader.

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How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?

How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?

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

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

Charles de Gaulle
Silence is the ultimate weapon of power.

Silence is the ultimate weapon of power.

Charles de Gaulle
A man of character finds a special attractiveness in difficulty, since it is only by coming to grips with difficulty that he can realize his potentialities.

A man of character finds a special attractiveness in difficulty, since it is only by coming to grips with difficulty that he can realize his potentialities.

Charles de Gaulle
Nothing great will ever be achieved without great men, and men are great only if they are determined to be so.

Nothing great will ever be achieved without great men, and men are great only if they are determined to be so.

Charles de Gaulle
I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.

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

Charles de Gaulle
France has lost a battle. But France has not lost the war

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

Charles de Gaulle
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.

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.

Charles de Gaulle
The cemeteries are full of indispensable men.

The cemeteries are full of indispensable men.

Charles de Gaulle
China is a big country, inhabited by many Chinese.

China is a big country, inhabited by many Chinese.

Charles de Gaulle
Since a politician never believes what he says, he is surprised when others believe him.

Since a politician never believes what he says, he is surprised when others believe him.

Charles de Gaulle
Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.

Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.

Charles de Gaulle
In order to be the master, the politician poses as the servant.

In order to be the master, the politician poses as the servant.

Charles de Gaulle
Treaties you see are like girls and roses; they last while they last.

Treaties you see are like girls and roses; they last while they last.

Charles de Gaulle
I am a man who belongs to nobody and who belongs to everybody.

I am a man who belongs to nobody and who belongs to everybody.

Charles de Gaulle
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 am right, I get angry. Churchill gets angry when he is wrong. We are angry at each other much of the time.

Charles de Gaulle
You'll live. Only the best get killed.

You'll live. Only the best get killed.

Charles de Gaulle
The sword is the axis of the world and grandeur cannot be divided.

The sword is the axis of the world and grandeur cannot be divided.

Charles de Gaulle
Deliberation is the work of many men. Action, of one alone.

Deliberation is the work of many men. Action, of one alone.

Charles de Gaulle
Nothing builds authority up like silence, splendor of the strong and shelter of the weak.

Nothing builds authority up like silence, splendor of the strong and shelter of the weak.

Charles de Gaulle
I am too poor to bow.

I am too poor to bow.

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

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

Charles de Gaulle
One must speak little. In action one must say nothing. The chief is the one who does not speak.

One must speak little. In action one must say nothing. The chief is the one who does not speak.

Charles de Gaulle
It is better to have a bad method than to have none.

It is better to have a bad method than to have none.

Charles de Gaulle
The more I get to know men, the more I love dogs.

The more I get to know men, the more I love dogs.

Charles de Gaulle
Politics, when it is an art and a service, not an exploitation, is about acting for an ideal through realities.

Politics, when it is an art and a service, not an exploitation, is about acting for an ideal through realities.

Charles de Gaulle
How can you govern a country which has two hundred and forty-six varieties of cheese?

How can you govern a country which has two hundred and forty-six varieties of cheese?

Charles de Gaulle
There can be no prestige without mystery, for familiarity breeds contempt.

There can be no prestige without mystery, for familiarity breeds contempt.

Charles de Gaulle
Difficulty attracts the characterful man, for it is by grasping it that he fulfils himself.

Difficulty attracts the characterful man, for it is by grasping it that he fulfils himself.

Charles de Gaulle