Politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.
The words of Charles de Gaulle, “Politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians,” resound like a trumpet blast across the ages. They remind us that governance is not the private game of rulers, nor the narrow craft of officials, but the shared destiny of all people. To leave politics solely to those who wield power is to surrender the fate of nations to a few, when in truth it belongs to the many.
In the ancient spirit, this is a call to vigilance. For rulers may forget, but the governed must remember: the laws that shape life, the wars that are fought, the freedoms that are gained or lost—all these are the fruit of politics. It is not a distant theater, but the very air a people breathe. To abandon it is to give one’s future into the hands of strangers, whose interests may not align with the common good.
Consider the life of Pericles, leader of Athens. Though hailed as a statesman, he knew that the strength of his city was not his own, but the voice of the citizens who filled the assembly. In their hands, the vision of democracy was born. But when the people grew weary and inattentive, corruption and folly followed, and Athens fell into ruin. Here lies the warning de Gaulle proclaimed: when citizens turn away and leave politics to the politicians, decay is inevitable.
De Gaulle himself, forged in the crucible of France’s darkest hours, spoke with the authority of one who had seen the perils of political failure. When his nation fell under occupation in the Second World War, it was not the politicians who saved her, but the spirit of the people—farmers, students, workers, and soldiers—who rallied to the call of freedom. His words are thus both memory and prophecy: that salvation comes when the people claim their rightful place in the affairs of state.
So let this truth be handed down: politics is the lifeblood of a nation, and it belongs to every soul who dwells within its borders. If the people retreat into apathy, the politicians will rule unchecked, and liberty will wither. But if the people rise, with vigilance and courage, then politics becomes not the craft of the few, but the noble work of all. For only then can a nation endure in justice, strength, and honor.
HNNgan Ha Ngo
Charles de Gaulle’s comment implies a deep skepticism about the role of professional politicians. Are politicians too wrapped up in their own ambitions and power to make decisions that truly benefit the broader public? Is it time for a shift in how we approach politics, possibly creating systems that offer more power to ordinary people?
CLCHAU LE
This quote challenges the conventional view that politicians are the sole authorities in governance. If politics is too serious to be left to politicians, does it mean we need a more inclusive and collaborative approach to decision-making? How can we involve the public more in shaping policies without losing the efficiency and expertise of political leaders?
MHNguyen Thi My Hanh
De Gaulle’s statement seems to suggest that politics is something that affects everyone, not just those in office. If it’s too serious for politicians alone, does that imply a need for more public engagement and participation in politics? What are some ways ordinary citizens can ensure they have a voice without getting lost in the complexities of the political system?
XHXuan Huy
This quote raises an important question about the role of the political class. Are politicians inherently disconnected from the people they represent, and do they lack the necessary perspective to make truly effective decisions? Is there a way to bridge this gap, or is it inevitable that politics will always be in the hands of those with power and privilege?
CTCam Tuuu
Charles de Gaulle’s quote strikes at the heart of the tension between politicians and the people they serve. If politics is too serious to be left to politicians alone, does that mean the public should take a more active role in decision-making? How do we ensure that political leaders represent the needs of the people, and not just their own interests?