The desire of privilege and the taste of equality are the dominant and contradictory passions of the French of all times.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- French society is torn between wanting privilege and wanting equality.
- In plain terms
- People want both special status and equal treatment.
- What can you take from it?
- Equality and privilege are conflicting desires.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do you seek privilege or equality?
- How do societies resolve this conflict?
Another view
This tension is not unique to France alone.
More from Charles de Gaulle
France was built with swords. The fleur-de-lis, symbol of national unity, is only the image of a spear with three pikes.
Permalink to quote #20 Nothing builds authority up like silence, splendor of the strong and shelter of the weak.
Permalink to quote #22 Nothing great is done without great men, and they are great because they wanted it.
Permalink to quote #19
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