--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Everyone says Francois Mitterrand had…" description: "\"Everyone says Francois Mitterrand had huge charisma. But before he was president they used to call him badly dressed, old, archaic and say he knew noth..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c89/francois-hollande-2367_charisma_everyone-says-francois-mitterrand-had-hu_346349.jpg" --- # Everyone says Francois Mitterrand had huge charisma. But… ![“Everyone says Francois Mitterrand had huge charisma. But before he was president they used to call him badly dressed, old, archaic and say he knew nothing about the economy until the day he was elected. It's called universal suffrage. When you're elected, you become the person that embodies France.” quote by Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c89/francois-hollande-2367_charisma_everyone-says-francois-mitterrand-had-hu_346349.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c89/francois-hollande-2367_charisma_everyone-says-francois-mitterrand-had-hu_346349.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c89/francois-hollande-2367_charisma_everyone-says-francois-mitterrand-had-hu_346349.jpg) > “Everyone says Francois Mitterrand had huge charisma. But before he was president they used to call him badly dressed, old, archaic and say he knew nothing about the economy until the day he was elected. It's called universal suffrage. When you're elected, you become the person that embodies France.” [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Public perception can shift dramatically after gaining power; charisma is often reassessed in hindsight. **In simple terms:** Power changes how people view leaders. Key Takeaway Beware of post‑election bias. Themes politics perception charisma leadership Mood analytical critical Type historical political When to use this quote - election analysis - leadership training - media critique - historical research Key Concepts sociology media studies public opinion Questions to Reflect On - How does power affect your own self‑image? - What criteria truly define effective leadership? A Different Perspective Charisma may be inflated by position, not just personal qualities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Charisma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charisma/) [Charisma President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charisma-president-981483/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economy/) [France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/france/) [Francois Mitterrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/francois-mitterrand-3208632/) [Huge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/huge/) [Mitterrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mitterrand-1840960/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old/) [Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [Suffrage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffrage/) [Universal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universal/) [Universal suffrage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universal-suffrage/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) ## Related quotes > [I have given myself one objective, to be the long-awaited successor to Francois Mitterrand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/i-have-given-myself-one-objective-to-be-the-long-awaited-successor-to/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [When I was elected to head the German government, I was fortunate enough to find a partner in Francois Mitterrand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-kohl/when-i-was-elected-to-head-the-german-government-i-was-fortunate/) [Helmut Kohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-kohl/) > [For example, a man who might not have enormous charisma, who could be president 40 years ago, and who was a deserving president, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-pollack/for-example-a-man-who-might-not-have-enormous-charisma-who-could-be/) [Sydney Pollack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-pollack/) > [Mitterrand had a sense for symbols, and he was the first Socialist president since 1958. He wanted to show that there is historical continuity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/mitterrand-had-a-sense-for-symbols-and-he-was-the-first-socialist/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [I firmly believe that the wider community supports achieving the goal of universal suffrage for 2017 according to law. I also believe most political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-lam/i-firmly-believe-that-the-wider-community-supports-achieving-the-goal/) [Carrie Lam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-lam/) > [All governments use force and all assert that they are founded on reason. In fact, whether universal suffrage prevails or not, it is always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vilfredo-pareto/all-governments-use-force-and-all-assert-that-they-are-founded-on/) [Vilfredo Pareto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vilfredo-pareto/) > [We Chinese are instinctively democratic, and Dr. Sun's objective of universal suffrage evokes from all Chinese a ready and unhesitating response.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiang-kai-shek/we-chinese-are-instinctively-democratic-and-dr-sun-s-objective-of/) [Chiang Kai-shek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiang-kai-shek/) > [ I need \[Beijing's\] trust in order to develop universal suffrage. The more suspicions being expressed, the more difficulty we'll have in moving towards the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-tsang/i-need-beijing-s-trust-in-order-to-develop-universal-suffrage-the/) [Donald Tsang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-tsang/) > [The alleged menace of universal suffrage having been avoided by the absolute suppression of the negro vote, the spirit of mob murder should have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ida-b-wells/the-alleged-menace-of-universal-suffrage-having-been-avoided-by-the/) [Ida B. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ida-b-wells/) > [“Universal suffrage in the end does not recognize any of the individual’s rights except the “right” to be alternately oppressor or oppressed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-gomez-davila/universal-suffrage-in-the-end-does-not-recognize-any-of-the/) [Nicolás Gómez Dávila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-gomez-davila/) > [When Britain signed up to the European Convention and its later protocols, the words 'universal suffrage' were deleted from the 'right to vote' article.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/when-britain-signed-up-to-the-european-convention-and-its-later/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) > [Does man's freedom consist in revolting against all laws? We say no, in so far as laws are natural, economic, and social laws, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bakunin/does-man-s-freedom-consist-in-revolting-against-all-laws-we-say-no-in/) [Mikhail Bakunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bakunin/) > [Hong Kongers deserve universal suffrage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/hong-kongers-deserve-universal-suffrage/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [Above all things the mass-mind is most bitterly resentful of superiority. It will not tolerate the thought of an elite; and under a political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/above-all-things-the-mass-mind-is-most-bitterly-resentful-of/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) ## More by Francois Hollande > [I ask to be judged on the issue of unemployment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/i-ask-to-be-judged-on-the-issue-of-unemployment/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [Everyone must be in the same competitive situation, including on the fiscal level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/everyone-must-be-in-the-same-competitive-situation-including-on-the/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [Our biggest threat is not too much Europe, but too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/our-biggest-threat-is-not-too-much-europe-but-too-little/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [When I travel officially... and when I travel on a private basis, I have protection that is less suffocating. But I am protected everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/when-i-travel-officially-and-when-i-travel-on-a-private-basis-i-have/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [Mandela's message will never die. It will continue to inspire freedom fighters and give confidence to people who defend just causes and universal rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/mandela-s-message-will-never-die-it-will-continue-to-inspire-freedom/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [No one imposes things on anyone in Europe. That's not my notion, nor is it my temperament. The EU has always functioned under the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/no-one-imposes-things-on-anyone-in-europe-that-s-not-my-notion-nor-is/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [As a president I will be like the candidate that I am, a respectful candidate, a rallying candidate, a normal candidate for a normal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/as-a-president-i-will-be-like-the-candidate-that-i-am-a-respectful/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [My adversary is the world of finance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/my-adversary-is-the-world-of-finance/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [China... has the capacity to ensure its stability and growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/china-has-the-capacity-to-ensure-its-stability-and-growth/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [France needs to improve training and education and the level of skills of its workforce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/france-needs-to-improve-training-and-education-and-the-level-of/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [Our only goal is to strengthen the opposition and to avoid the dilemma whereby we only have the choice between Bashar Assad and al-Qaeda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/our-only-goal-is-to-strengthen-the-opposition-and-to-avoid-the/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [The United Nations will be at the heart of our international activities. France will assume its full responsibilities at the Security Council by putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/the-united-nations-will-be-at-the-heart-of-our-international/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [Very strong declarations were made by those countries who are most responsible for global warming... the United States and China, which undertook commitments towards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/very-strong-declarations-were-made-by-those-countries-who-are-most/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [Private life is always, at certain times, a challenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/private-life-is-always-at-certain-times-a-challenge/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [I could have made a fortune in cheeseburgers, but I finally chose politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/i-could-have-made-a-fortune-in-cheeseburgers-but-i-finally-chose/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) [Explore all 170 Francois Hollande quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) ## More Charisma quotes > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Those who know New York City primarily through tourism or mass culture may think of us natives as possessing certain shared characteristics, not all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dee/those-who-know-new-york-city-primarily-through-tourism-or-mass/) [Jonathan Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dee/) > [“Self-confident people face their fears head-on and are willing to take risks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/self-confident-people-face-their-fears-head-on-and-are-willing-to/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Building confidence is an ongoing process and something that can be accomplished over time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/building-confidence-is-an-ongoing-process-and-something-that-can-be/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [No one has more charisma than me in WWE.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheamus/no-one-has-more-charisma-than-me-in-wwe/) [Sheamus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheamus/) > [They say I'm a natural, I have natural charisma. People say that. I don't know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-henry/they-say-i-m-a-natural-i-have-natural-charisma-people-say-that-i-don/) [Dwight Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-henry/) > [I think generally the heads of terrorist groups are very, very smart people. They're also great manipulators. I would presume that cult leaders are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loretta-napoleoni/i-think-generally-the-heads-of-terrorist-groups-are-very-very-smart/) [Loretta Napoleoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loretta-napoleoni/) > [“If you're completely off your rocker and have delusions of grandeur in which your personal existence is of special significance to the rest of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-m-wolfe/if-you-re-completely-off-your-rocker-and-have-delusions-of-grandeur/) [Edward M. Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-m-wolfe/) > [Never be impressed with charisma. Look for character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/never-be-impressed-with-charisma-look-for-character/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [New concepts should be introduced by the power of imagery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coop/new-concepts-should-be-introduced-by-the-power-of-imagery/) [Douglas Coop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coop/) > [Charisma is not just saying hello. It's dropping what you're doing to say hello.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/charisma-is-not-just-saying-hello-it-s-dropping-what-you-re-doing-to/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [“When they are authentically engaged, their positive impressions create memorable moments and leave a lasting impact. Physical beauty becomes irrelevant because their exuberance and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/when-they-are-authentically-engaged-their-positive-impressions-create/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [John Kerry and Ralph Nader met face-to-face, it was a historic meeting. Astronomers said today their meeting actually created what is called a 'charisma…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/john-kerry-and-ralph-nader-met-face-to-face-it-was-a-historic-meeting/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [In high school I had B's and C's, not too many A's, but I must have done well on that medical school test, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-marshall/in-high-school-i-had-b-s-and-c-s-not-too-many-a-s-but-i-must-have/) [Barry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-marshall/) > [Jeanne Moreau, Lauren Bacall, they had this unconventional beauty, this amazing charisma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-de-la-baume/jeanne-moreau-lauren-bacall-they-had-this-unconventional-beauty-this/) [Josephine de La Baume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-de-la-baume/) [Browse all 349 Charisma quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charisma/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Everyone says Francois Mitterrand had huge charisma. 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