“I respect only those who resist me, but I cannot tolerate them.”
- November 22, 1890 – November 9, 1970
- French
- Military Leader, Statesman, President of France, Founder of the Fifth Republic
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Quote
“I respect only those who resist me, but I cannot tolerate them.”
Explanation
This paradoxical statement by Charles de Gaulle reveals his complex view of opposition, authority, and personal pride. By saying he respects those who resist him, de Gaulle acknowledges the value of conviction, courage, and independence, especially when it comes from individuals who stand firm in the face of power. Yet, in the same breath, he admits he cannot tolerate such resistance, highlighting his intensely commanding personality and need for control.
De Gaulle led in turbulent times—wartime exile, postwar reconstruction, political instability—and his leadership demanded firmness, vision, and often unilateral decision-making. Those who challenged him might have earned his intellectual respect, but their opposition also threatened the unity and decisiveness he believed essential for national survival. This quote captures the emotional tension between admiration for strength and the burden of leadership that demands obedience.
In modern leadership contexts, the quote underscores a universal challenge: the uneasy coexistence of respect and rivalry. Leaders may appreciate dissenting voices for sharpening their resolve or questioning assumptions, but they also face the frustration of delayed action or divided loyalty. De Gaulle’s candor reminds us that true authority is not immune to contradiction—and that even the strongest leaders are shaped by the very resistance they struggle to silence.
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