Quotes by Charles de Gaulle

“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.”

“How can one conceive of a one-party system in a country that has over two hundred varieties of cheese?”

“How can you be expected to govern a country that has 246 kinds of cheese?”

“Every man of action has a strong dose of egoism, pride, hardness, and cunning. But all those things will be regarded as high qualities if he can make them the means to achieve great ends.”

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

“Greatness is a road leading towards the unknown”

“Old age is a shipwreck.”

“Only peril can bring the French together. One cant impose unity out of the blue on a country that has 265 different kinds of cheese.”

“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.”

“You start out giving your hat, then you give your coat, then your shirt, then your skin and finally your soul.”

“Politics isnt about big money or power games; its about the improvement of peoples lives”

“Politics: the art of keeping as many balls as possible up in the air at one time - while protecting your own.”

“What can be said, should never be written”

“A leader has to lead, or otherwise he has no business in politics.”

“Take care, dont fight, and remember: if you do not choose to lead, you will forever be led by others. Find what scares you, and do it. And you can make a difference, if you choose to do so.”

“The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and will to carry on.”

“The French complain of everything, and always.”

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

Always choose the most difficult way, there you will not meet competitors.

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