Dominique de Villepin Quotes

It's so much easier to throw rocks than it is to govern.

You have to make some hard decisions when you're speaker.

The important thing is that we recognize our President's leadership, that he is not saying: I am going to walk away from this. He is saying: I am going to do the right thing.

I think that shows a level of maturity and understanding that I think bodes well for getting to the bottom of this. But it is really up to you and your staff, on behalf of the American people, to take on that challenge.

A prime minister has to keep a certain balance when dealing with sensitive issues.

The President so far has struck me as a man who is trying hard to keep his balance. He certainly has been very receptive to all my efforts in these directions.

Governing is hard. If you’re in the majority, you’ve got to do the hard work of governing

Guns and blockades are not conducive to meaningful dialogue.

What would you do in my position? Would you drop the war where it is? Or would you prosecute it in the future with elder-stalk squirts charged with rose water? Would you deal lighter blows rather than heavier ones?.... I shall do all I can to save the government, which is my sworn duty as well as my personal inclination.

I’ve learned that governing is more difficult than criticizing.

The politician says: "I will give you what you want." The statesman says: "What you think you want is this. What it is possible for you to get is that. What you really want, therefore, is the following.

No quarrel ought ever be converted into a policy.

Now I know how Jack feels when he has told three people that they can each be Secretary of State.

Good governance requires working toward common ground. It isn't easy.

My court was divided between peace and war according to their various interests, but I considered only their reasons.

Politics and war are remarkably similar situations.

To rule is easy, to govern difficult.

Great leaders don't rush to blame. They instinctively look for solutions.

That most dangerous of opponents: the one who took pains to comprehend the position of his adversary.

I hope everybody will go back to the negotiating table. I've always said this is the only way forward.

Many hard comments have been made on my efforts in India from the side of the Congress party, yet I feel content in the deep conviction that the offer I traveled 22,000 miles to discuss with Indian leaders was a real contribution to a solution of our differences.

Skillful conversationalists can explore disagreements and make points in ways that feel constructive and positive rather than combative or corrective.

Peace comes when you talk to the guy you most hate. And that's where the courage of a leader comes, because when you sit down with your enemy, you as a leader must already have very considerable confidence from your own constituency.

Sharon is capable of making peace.

I'm used to politics at an international level: people put together an argument and, even if you vehemently disagree with them, well, you can recognise it's an argument and respond.