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.
Charles de Gaulle

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

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

I was France.
Charles de Gaulle

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

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

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?
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

Never relinquish the initiative.
Charles de Gaulle

No country without an atom bomb could properly consider itself independent.
Charles de Gaulle

No nation has friends only interests.
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

Old age is a shipwreck.
Charles de Gaulle

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.
Charles de Gaulle

One cannot govern with 'buts'.
Charles de Gaulle

One does not arrest Voltaire.
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

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

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

Silence is the ultimate weapon of power.
Charles de Gaulle