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

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

The graveyards are full of indispensable men.
Charles de Gaulle

The great leaders have always stage-managed their effects.
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

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

The true statesman is the one who is willing to take risks.
Charles de Gaulle

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

To govern is always to choose among disadvantages.
Charles de Gaulle

Treaties are like roses and young girls. They last while they last.
Charles de Gaulle

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

We are not here to laugh.
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

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

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

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

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