“It is not tolerable, it is not possible, that from so much death, so much sacrifice and ruin, so much heroism, a greater and better humanity shall not emerge.”
- November 22, 1890 – November 9, 1970
- French
- Military Leader, Statesman, President of France, Founder of the Fifth Republic
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Quote
“It is not tolerable, it is not possible, that from so much death, so much sacrifice and ruin, so much heroism, a greater and better humanity shall not emerge.”
Explanation
This quote by Charles de Gaulle is a powerful expression of hope, moral conviction, and historical responsibility in the face of immense human suffering. Emerging likely from the context of World War II, de Gaulle reflects on the scale of sacrifice, destruction, and courage witnessed during the conflict, and asserts that such a cost must not be in vain. The repetition of “so much” emphasizes the profound depth of collective trauma—and the moral imperative to derive progress, wisdom, and humanity from it.
As the leader of the Free French and later the architect of postwar France, de Gaulle was driven by a vision that the war’s devastation should not simply be survived, but transformed into a foundation for renewal—of nations, of institutions, and of human character. His statement reflects a faith in civilization’s capacity to learn, evolve, and rise from tragedy, a sentiment that helped define the European recovery and France’s postwar rebuilding under his leadership.
In modern times, this quote remains a moving call to find meaning and moral growth amid crisis, whether in war, pandemic, or social upheaval. It challenges societies not just to mourn or rebuild, but to create something more just, united, and enlightened from the ashes. De Gaulle’s words remind us that history’s darkest chapters must also give rise to its most inspiring transformations, or the suffering endured will be not only tragic—but wasted.
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