“Diplomats are useful only in fair weather. As soon as it rains they drown in every drop.”
- November 22, 1890 – November 9, 1970
- French
- Military Leader, Statesman, President of France, Founder of the Fifth Republic
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Quote
“Diplomats are useful only in fair weather. As soon as it rains they drown in every drop.”
Explanation
In this sharply critical statement, Charles de Gaulle expresses a deep skepticism toward the reliability and resilience of professional diplomacy in times of crisis. While acknowledging that diplomats may function well during periods of peace and stability (“fair weather”), he argues that they falter when true challenges arise, becoming overwhelmed by the very pressures and complexities they are meant to navigate. The metaphor of drowning “in every drop” emphasizes a perceived lack of fortitude and decisiveness among those trained in the art of negotiation.
De Gaulle’s wartime and postwar experiences likely shaped this view. During World War II, he witnessed how diplomacy often lagged behind events or failed to prevent catastrophe. His own rise to prominence occurred outside traditional diplomatic channels, as he bypassed cautious officials to speak directly to the people and forge military and political alliances on his terms. To him, statesmanship required boldness and clarity, qualities he felt diplomats too often lacked when situations turned dire.
Today, this quote remains a provocative critique of bureaucratic caution and overreliance on protocol. In an era of fast-moving crises—be it war, climate disasters, or global pandemics—de Gaulle’s words challenge leaders to ask whether diplomatic institutions are equipped for turbulence or simply built for calm. While perhaps exaggerated, the quote reminds us that true leadership in diplomacy requires more than tact—it demands courage, adaptability, and strength under pressure.
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