“The more English is heard in the world, the more gratifying it seems to speak French, and above all to know the culture of our country. They find a kind of French social grace in the language and culture.”

It is very difficult to generalise. Everyone’s adventure is original.

People who do not speak our language very well do complain of feeling rebuffed by French people, who can sometimes be impatient, or even intolerant.

They place great stress on the clarity of our language for expressing nuances and showing subtleties.

All the English speakers, or almost all, have difficulties with the gender of words.

French is a language that makes those who speak it both calm and dynamic.

Everything above and below is one unity.

Her earth is rich, yet the products that come from above and below the soil continue to enrich, not Africans predominantly, but groups and individuals who operate to Africa’s impoverishment.

Knowledge is, indeed, that which, next to virtue, truly and essentially raises one man above another.

Over and above communication and vigilance, there are two factors I have always mentioned. They are sleep, and a sense of history.

In England Parliament is above the law. In America the law is above Congress.

The dance is always danced above the hollow place, above the terrible abyss.

I think the British have the distinction above all other nations of being able to put new wine into old bottles without bursting them.

Three cheers for war, noble and beautiful above all.