To govern is always to choose among disadvantages.

Never relinquish the initiative.

For all of us Frenchmen, the guiding rule of our epoch is to be faithful to France.

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.

Men are of no importance. What counts is who commands.

The leader must aim high, see big, judge widely, thus setting himself apart form the ordinary people who debate in narrow confines.

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