Treaties are like roses and young girls. They last while they last.

Nothing builds authority up like silence, splendor of the strong and shelter of the weak.

It is not tolerable, it is not possible, that from so much death, so much sacrifice and ruin, so much heroism, a greater and better humanity shall not emerge.

As an adolescent I was convinced that France would have to go through gigantic trials, that the interest of life consisted in one day rendering her some signal service and that I would have the occasion to do so.

One can unite the French only under the threat of danger. One cannot simply bring together a nation that produces 265 kinds of cheese.

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.

I cannot prevent the French from being French