Annoying Quote by Charles de Gaulle
“Belgium is a country invented by the British to annoy the French.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Press Conference, 1965
He jokes that Britain created Belgium to irritate France.
In simple terms: Britain supposedly invented Belgium to annoy France.
Key Takeaway
Recognize political satire.
Themes
nationalism
humor
history
Mood
witty
ironic
Type
satire
historical
When to use this quote
- diplomatic humor
- historical anecdotes
- international relations
Key Concepts
political satire
European relations
Questions to Reflect On
- Why use humor in political commentary?
- What does this say about French‑British relations?
A Different Perspective
Historical accuracy is doubtful.
![“[...] little Belgium once again busy at what she does best, tamely offering her battlefield-ready lowlands to boots, hooves, iron wheels, waiting to be first to go under before a future no one in Europe has the clairvoyance to imagine as anything more than an exercise for clerks.” quote by Thomas Pynchon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ee2/thomas-pynchon-533_belgium_little-belgium-once-again-busy-at-what-s_243142.jpg)
![“Have you ever seen a dictator on a run-off ballot? [Responding to the charges of a dictatorial bent, after being forced into a run-off against the socialist François Mitterrand in the 1965 presidential elections]” quote by Charles de Gaulle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/246/charles-de-gaulle-2714_seen-dictator_have-you-ever-seen-a-dictator-on-a-run-o_80965.jpg)
