Charles de Gaulle

Franklin, he once treated being impossible like a military strategy.

Gentlemen, I survived a world war and still never needed this much attention.

You arrived late, refused compliments, and still acted like the room was lucky to have you.

Better late than short, Winston.

And yet every time France called, the tiny men found the phone.

You called one briefing a constitutional crisis and one tea break a betrayal.

I respect the conviction, Charles, but the room does not need a second flagpole.

He says hobby the way other men say emergency.

America loves consensus because it is easier than having standards.

I tried diplomacy and you looked at me like I’d brought a tank to a garden party.

Better a lonely general than a crowded committee with a map upside down.

Franklin, he rejected your handshakes like they were draft edits.

Gentlemen, I did lend you a country and somehow got a lecture in return.

I did not reject history. I corrected the draft.

You were so correct that even the elevators in Whitehall started avoiding you.