The English version of the best-selling Témoignage by
Nicolas Sarkozy
“As far as I can remember, taking action
has always been one of my watchwords. I have always been fascinated
by the possibility of changing the everyday life, of making the
impossible conceivable, of finding rooms to manoeuvre. Being in
politics was no family tradition. Furthermore, I had no influential
connections, I wasn’t rich, I was no state servant and I had
a foreign-sounding name…
Still, if I decided to get involved in politics, that’s because
nothing else could have allowed me to take action not against, nor
without, but with the French people. I like the idea of a common
action, aiming at the same goal, to restore hope for millions of
people. So many of them have given up already. Given up to believe
in a more promising tomorrow. Given up to believe in a happier future
for their children.
With this book, I would like to explain that nothing is impossible
for who dares to try, for who dares to undertake. In a changing
world, nothing could be worst for our country as well as for all
the French than maintaining the status quo.
I like to build up, to act, to solve problems. Nothing ventured,
nothing gained and every effort pays off. That is what I believe
in. That is why I am in politics, and why, according to me, it is
worth conquering the greatest responsibilities. That is what I want
to tell you.”
Nicolas Sarkozy
Quotes on Foreign affairs
On learning from other countries Our
public debate is not sufficiently influenced by what others are
doing: their successes, their ideas, and their setbacks. I have
often wondered about the origin of our propensity to try everything
that does not work and to frighten ourselves with everything that
works for others. We would have so much to learn from the Danes,
the Spanish, the English, the Germans and even...yes, the Americans.
Our
public debate is not sufficiently influenced by what others are
doing: their successes, their ideas, and their setbacks. I have
often wondered about the origin of our propensity to try everything
that does not work and to frighten ourselves with everything that
works for others. We would have so much to learn from the Danes,
the Spanish, the English, the Germans and even...yes, the Americans.
