Francois Hollande Quotes

There can be no daily democracy without daily citizenship.

You have citizens who don't understand how government works and they're kind of soured on it. All they do is criticize. They have no idea that they can make things happen.

A jolt is necessary. Europe must reaffirm it values of freedom, solidarity, peace. The EU must be understood and controlled by its citizens. I will do everything to secure profound change rather than decline.

One of my philosophies is that citizens are the mayor... so we have citizens play an integral role in making policies and implementing them.

I'm always trying to invite citizens to participate in the process of public decision-making.

I always say there's no ticket of admission for active citizenship. Anybody can get through that gate, and anybody can ask that basic question that gets the ball rolling.

The job of a citizen is to keep his mouth open.

The people will save their government, if the government itself will allow them.

The maxim, that governments ought to train the people in the way in which they should go, sounds well. But is there any reason for believing that a government is more likely to lead the people in the right way than the people to fall into the right way of themselves?

As a citizen, you need to know how to be a part of it, how to express yourself - and not just by voting.

Scotland has been re-energized, and people all over the country have become involved in - and informed about - politics and government in a way that I have never known before. In short, we have put ourselves firmly in control of our country.

I liked the give-and-take of a policy discussion in the community, with citizens. I didn't know that even took place, frankly, but I never dreamed it would be an enjoyable thing to do.

I expect we will become more demanding as citizens.

As free citizens in a political democracy, we have a responsibility to be interested and involved in the affairs of the human community, be it at the local or the global level.

Democracy should be home grown.

Being a citizen in a democracy involves more than just voting. It means being involved for the common whole.

The people want to exercise power but what on earth would they do with it if it were given to them?

It is citizen participation that nourishes the strength of a democracy.

We can’t leave the job of leadership to the leaders.

Pure representative government is not suitable to our character, customs, and present conditions...So long as our compatriots do not develop the talents and political virtues which distinguish our brothers of the north (The United States) the entire popular system, far from being suitable to our conditions, may, I fear, be our ruin.

I feel that a period of service to the nation would be good for all of us, though I hope it will not be a purely military period. I have a great appreciation for the need for discipline and basic training in military methods, but above all, I believe we must develop the realization of every individual's responsibility in a democracy for his government. To me any period of training should stress this very clearly and should include service to the community. I believe both boys and girls should receive such training.

I want Americans to realize that we are the owners of this country, and that one person can make a difference.

The health of our republic depends on shared principles like the First Amendment, but it is also built on the Teddy Roosevelt-like vigor of its citizens and local self-reliance.

I believe in decentralized democracy.

The work of being a citizen is hard and annoying, but it can pay off.