French Diplomacy Quotes

I will never again listen to the advice of the French … nor of anyone except the British Government.

The French are ... the most brilliant and the most dangerous nation of Europe, and the one that is surest to inspire admiration, hatred, terror, or pity, but never indifference.

We can all admit that [Charles] De Gaulle is one of the biggest sons of bitches who ever straddled a pot.

Close with a Frenchman, but out-maneuver a Russian.

The French are always reticent to surrender to the wishes of their friends and always more than willing to surrender to the wishes of their enemies.

France is delighted at this new opportunity to show the world that when one has the will one can succeed in joining peoples who have been brought close by history.

I don't flatter myself with much dependence upon the present disposition of the Eastern Indians, who are many ways liable to be drawn into a rupture with us by the artifices of the French, their own weakness and the influence which the French Missionary Priests have over them.

It is in order that France may find her place in the new Europe that you will respond to my appeal.

I have defended the interests of France at the G8 in Washington; afterwards I was at Chicago to announce the withdrawal of French troops from Afghanistan; I have participated in two European summits, so I have fully respected the engagements I made to the French.

The French don't seek out alliances except when there are difficulties.

France is a beacon for the human race. The nation and its people may be loved or hated, but they can never be ignored.

Seems to me we move the furniture, the French come in later and put the doilies on top of it...It's a simple fact they've always been reluctant to surrender to the wishes of their friends and are almost anticipatory in their urge to surrender to wishes of their enemies. And if they want to get their hands dirty now they're just gonna have to run 'em through their own hair.

France will be heeded if it has a message to convey.

The Europeans must now honor their commitments. That is the position that France is defending.

When Pope Francis touched down on French soil for the first time in his papacy with a visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg last November, Ms. Royal was the senior French official there to greet him.

I defy anyone - and I have said this to the Germans - to build a solid, articulated, and viable Europe without France's consent.