Charles de Gaulle

You'll live. Only the best get killed.

Old age is a shipwreck.

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

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

Diplomats are useful only in fair weather. As soon as it rains they drown in every drop.

It so happens that the world is undergoing a transformation to which no change that has yet occurred can be compared either in scope or in rapidity.

The better I get to know men the more I find myself loving dogs.

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

It will not be any European statesman who will unite Europe: Europe will be united by the Chinese.

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

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

Every man of action has a strong dose of egotism pride hardness and cunning. But all those things will be forgiven him indeed they will be regarded as high qualities if he can make them the means to achieve great ends.

A true leader always keeps an element of surprise up his sleeve which others cannot grasp but which keeps his public excited and breathless.

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

The perfection preached in the Gospels never yet built up an Empire. Every man of action has a strong dose of optimism pride hardness and cunning. But all these things will be forgiven him indeed they will be regarded as high qualities if he can make of them the means to achieve great ends.

How can you govern a country with two hundred and forty-six varieties of cheese?

Greatness is a road leading towards the unknown.

Before such a prodigious career judgement is torn between blame and admiration.