Charles de Gaulle quotes

Charles de Gaulle was a towering figure in French history. Born in 1890, he became a military leader, writer, and the Founding President of the Fifth Republic of France. Famed for his resistance to Nazi occupation during World War II, he led the Free French Forces and later played an instrumental role in France's liberation. De Gaulle is also known for his vision and political acumen, implementing important reforms that modernized France's infrastructure, economy, and institutions. With his authoritative yet charismatic leadership style, he restored French pride and strongly asserted the country's independence on the global stage. Charles de Gaulle's legacy as a statesman, visionary, and symbol of French national identity endures to this day.

- Charles de Gaulle

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.

- Charles de Gaulle

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

- Charles de Gaulle

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

- Charles de Gaulle

We are not here to laugh.

- Charles de Gaulle

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

- Charles de Gaulle

A great country worthy of the name does not have any friends.

- Charles de Gaulle

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

- Charles de Gaulle

The leader must aim high, see big, judge widely, thus setting himself apart form the ordinary people who debate in narrow confines.

- 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.

- Charles de Gaulle

For glory gives herself only to those who have always dreamed of her.

- Charles de Gaulle

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

- Charles de Gaulle

I might have had trouble saving France in 1946 - I didn't have television then.

- Charles de Gaulle

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.

- Charles de Gaulle

Since a politician never believes what he says, he is quite surprised to be taken at his word.

- Charles de Gaulle

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

- Charles de Gaulle

You have to be fast on your feet and adaptive or else a strategy is useless.

- Charles de Gaulle

France cannot be France without greatness.

- 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.

- Charles de Gaulle

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

- Charles de Gaulle

One does not arrest Voltaire.

- Charles de Gaulle

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

- Charles de Gaulle

When I want to know what France thinks, I ask myself.

- Charles de Gaulle

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.

- Charles de Gaulle

Greatness is a road leading towards the unknown.

- Charles de Gaulle

I have against me the bourgeois, the military and the diplomats, and for me, only the people who take the Metro.

- Charles de Gaulle

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

- Charles de Gaulle

You may be sure that the Americans will commit all the stupidities they can think of, plus some that are beyond imagination.

- Charles de Gaulle

I have heard your views. They do not harmonize with mine. The decision is taken unanimously.

- Charles de Gaulle

The great leaders have always stage-managed their effects.

- Charles de Gaulle