Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
De Gaulle asserts that France must embody greatness to be itself.
In plain terms
France is not France without greatness.
What can you take from it?
National identity is tied to achievement.

Where it applies

  • patriotism
  • political rhetoric
  • cultural critique

Putting it to work

  • setting national goals
  • defining identity

Questions to consider

  • What defines your national identity?
  • Can a nation be great without ambition?

Another view

Greatness is subjective and excludes alternative forms of being.

More from Charles de Gaulle

  1. The government has no propositions to make, but orders to give.

    Permalink to quote #28
  2. The graveyards are full of indispensable men.

    Permalink to quote #30
  3. Difficulty attracts the characterful man, for it is by grasping it that he fulfils himself.

    Permalink to quote #27

Related quotes

  1. I essentially said the United States is a very young country compared with Europe. We're still growing. That's it. I wouldn't say anything anti-American. I'm a…

    Johnny DeppJohnny Depp quote #6
  2. 'I glory in the name of Briton!'

    George III of the United KingdomGeorge III of the United Kingdom quote #5
  3. 'Oh, I understand that perfectly. That's how we feel in Scotland too, but the English won't allow it.'

    the Queen Mother Elizabeththe Queen Mother Elizabeth quote #7