“To govern is always to choose among disadvantages.”

It’s impossible in normal times to rally a nation that has 265 kinds of cheese.

Victory often goes to the army that makes the least mistakes, not the most brilliant plans.

He who laughs last didn’t get the joke.

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

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

Whereas ordinary officers must be content with behaving correctly in front of their men, the great leaders have always carefully stage-managed their effects.

No, I’m not talking about the Russians; I mean the Germans. In spite of everything, to have pushed so far!

Deliberation is a function of the many; action is the function of one.

I wouldn’t mind dying for France, but not for Air France.

The future does not belong to men.

I am not bad, thank you. But don’t worry, one of these days I shall certainly die.

France cannot be France without greatness.

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.

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

One cannot govern with ‘buts’.

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

One of the advantages of being disorganized is that one is always having surprising discoveries.

There is advantage in the wisdom won from pain.

The moment I used my adversity to my advantage, my career exploded.

Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.

Difference of opinion is advantageous in religion. The several sects perform the office of a Censor morum over each other.

Your employees are your company’s real competitive advantage. They’re the ones making the magic happen-so long as their needs are being met.

I have a passion for teaching kids to become readers, to become comfortable with a book, not daunted. Books shouldn’t be daunting, they should be funny, exciting and wonderful; and learning to be a reader gives a terrific advantage.

The answer I gave myself and the oracle was that it was to my advantage to be as I am.