Deliberation is the work of many men. Action, of one alone.

You start out giving your hat, then you give your coat, then your shirt, then your skin and finally your soul.

In war, the policy of least exertion always risks being paid for dearly.

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

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

To govern is always to choose among disadvantages.

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