QuoteProject
France has no friends, only interests.
Charles De Gaulle
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote suggests that relationships between nations are often driven by self-interest rather than genuine friendship.

Charles De Gaulle's statement emphasizes the pragmatic nature of international relations, implying that countries prioritize their own needs and objectives over emotional connections. In this perspective, alliances are formed and dissolved based on utility and strategic interests rather than true loyalty or friendship.

Themes

International RelationsPoliticsInterestsAlliancesPragmatism

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate about foreign policy, one might use this quote to illustrate the importance of national interests.

More from Charles De Gaulle

I always thought I was Jeanne d'Arc and Bonaparte. How little one knows oneself.
Charles De GaulleRead
Don't ask me who's influenced me. A lion is made up of the lambs he's digested, and I've been reading all my life.
Charles De GaulleRead
Today we are crushed by the sheer weight of the mechanized forces hurled against us, but we can still look to the future in which even greater mechanized forces will bring us victory. Therein lies the destiny of the world.
Charles De GaulleRead
The perfection preached in the gospels never yet built an empire. Every man of action has a strong dose of egotism, pride, hardness, and cunning.
Charles De GaulleRead
One must wait until the evening to see how splendid the day was; one cannot judge life until death.
Charles De GaulleRead
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.]
Charles De GaulleRead

Similar quotes

Since taking office, I've made it clear that the United States was prepared to begin a new chapter of engagement with the Islamic Republic of Iran. We offered the Iranian government a clear choice. It could fulfill its international obligations and realize greater security, deeper economic and political integration with the world, and a better future for all Iranians. Or it could continue to flout its responsibilities and face even more pressure and isolation.
Barack ObamaRead
Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.
Otto Von BismarckRead
The accords were fig leaves of democratic procedure to hide the nakedness of Stalinist dictatorship.
George F. KennanRead
Occupying armies have responsibilities, not rights. Their primary responsibility is to withdraw as quickly and expeditiously as possible, in a manner determined by the occupied population.
Noam ChomskyRead
I think that citizens should be skeptical of government power. But I fear it's bled over to cynicism. It is something that is getting in the way of reasoned discussion, and I'm very concerned about how to change that trend of cynicism.
James ComeyRead
History and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.
George WashingtonRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.