In the tumult of men and events, solitude was my temptation; now it is my friend. What other satisfaction can be sought once you have confronted History?

A great country worthy of the name does not have any friends.

Faced with crisis, the man of character falls back upon himself.

We may go to the moon, but that' s not very far. The greatest distance we have to cover still lies within us.

France has no friends, only interests.

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.