Charles de Gaulle: Greatness

Charles de Gaulle was eighteenth President of the French Republic. Explore interesting quotes on greatness.
Charles de Gaulle: 92   quotes 23   likes

“"A foreign military leader whose daring was feared by those who profited by it." De Gaulle said that MacArthur's critics should "pay deserved tribute to the legendary service of a great soldier".”

Charles de Gaulle

from William Manchester's "American Caesar".
Fifth Republic and other post-WW2

Fear

“France cannot be France without greatness.”

Charles de Gaulle

La France ne peut être la France sans la grandeur.
in Mémoires de guerre.
Writings

“Nothing great is done without great men, and they are great because they wanted it.”

Charles de Gaulle

On ne fait rien de grand sans de grands hommes, et ceux-ci le sont pour l'avoir voulu.
in Vers l’armée de métier.
Writings

Men

“"Do you know that you have caused us more trouble than all the rest of our European allies?" "I do not doubt it. France is a great power."”

Charles de Gaulle

Conversation with Anthony Eden, recounted in de Gaulle's Mémoires de guerre. Quoted in The Atlantic, November 1960.
World War II