Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Charles de Gaulle (French General, Statesman)

Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970,) fully Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle, was a French general and political leader. He saved France’s honor from the shame of defeat during World War II. He later served as head of government 1944–46, and, as the architect of the Fifth Republic, served as its first president 1958–69.

Born in Lille, de Gaulle was educated at the École Militaire of St Cyr. He served as an army officer during World War I. He drew on this experience to develop a new theory of mechanized strategy, which was expounded in The Army of the Future (1932.)

During World War II, de Gaulle was a member of the Cabinet at the time of France’s surrender in June 1940. He escaped to Britain, where he was a mastermind of the Free French movement. He served as a focus for the Resistance movement, in which he played an active role during the rest of the war. He returned to Paris in 1944 with the first liberation forces.

Following the war, de Gaulle was elected president of the provisional government but resigned in 1946 following a disagreement over the constitution adopted by the Fourth Republic. He became president in 1959 and went on to establish the presidency as a democratically elected office in 1962. De Gaulle was reelected in 1965 but resigned in 1969 after the electorate rejected his proposed constitutional changes.

In addition to disengaging France from the Algerian crisis and strengthening the French economy, de Gaulle is remembered for his assertive foreign policy (he withdrew French forces from NATO and blocked Britain’s entry to the European Economic Community) and for subduing the student uprisings and strikes of May 1968.

De Gaulle’s memoirs were published as The Complete War Memoirs (1964, reissued 1998; originally published in French, 1954–59.)

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Charles de Gaulle

Silence is the ultimate weapon of power.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: One liners, Silence, Weapon

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

The sword is the axis of the world, and grandeur is indivisible.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: World

In politics it is necessary either to betray one’s country or the electorate. I prefer to betray the electorate.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Betrayal

Nothing more enhances authority than silence. It is the crowning virtue of the strong, the refuge of the weak, the modesty of the proud, the pride of the humble, the prudence of the wise, and the sense of fools.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Silence, Authority

History does not teach fatalism. There are moments when the will of a handful of free men breaks through determinism and opens up new roads.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Freedom

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
Topics: Character

How can one conceive of a one-party system in a country that has over two hundred varieties of cheese?
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Government

Leaders of men are later remembered less for the usefulness of what they have achieved than for the sweep of their endeavors.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Leadership

Deliberation is a function of the many; action is the function of one.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Action

One must wait until the evening to see how splendid the day was; one cannot judge life until death.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Death

Old age is a shipwreck.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Old Age, Age, Aging

France has lost the battle but she has not lost the war.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Battle

France has lost a battle. But France has not lost the war.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Conflict

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

Since a politician never believes what he says, he is surprised when others believe him.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Politics, Politicians

I respect only those who resist me, but I cannot tolerate them.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Opposition, Respect, Dissent

Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: One liners, Control, Authority

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.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Action

No country without an atom bomb could properly consider itself independent.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: War

I grew up to always respect authority and respect those in charge.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Authority, Control

How can anyone govern a nation that has 246 different kinds of cheese?
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Teamwork, Government

The graveyards are full of indispensable men.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Humility

Diplomats are useful only in fair weather. As soon as it rains they drown in every drop.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Weather, Diplomacy

How can you govern a country with two hundred and forty six varieties of cheese?
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Nationality, Nations, Nationalism, Nation

Treaties are like roses and young girls—they last while they last.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Government, Agreement

No nation has friends only interests.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Nation

Authority doesn’t work without prestige, or prestige without distance.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Authority

Greatness is a road leading towards the unknown.
—Charles de Gaulle
Topics: Greatness

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
Topics: Character, Crises, Confidence, Self-reliance

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