Adversity attracts the man of character. He seeks out the bitter joy of responsibility.

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.

Soyons fermes, purs et fidèles ; au bout de nos peines, il y a la plus grande gloire du monde, celle des hommes qui n'ont pas cédé. [Let us be firm, pure and faithful; at the end of our sorrow, there is the greatest glory of the world, that of the men who did not give in.]

They really are bad shots.

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

I grew up to always respect authority and respect those in charge.

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