The relationship between France and the United States has often been strained, with one side often criticizing the other for some perceived cultural deficiency. In recent history, popular elements in the United States have adopted the label of France as a nation of the weak as a result of France not supporting the US-led invasion of Iraq. France, in turn, has accused the United States of being aggressive and arrogant. However, a quick read of some of the best known French quotes will show that France and the US actually have many similarities in thinking and see things the same way. Here’s a sample: you are the judge.

Renard (French) has been quoted:
“The truth is well worth a few years without finding it.”
This translates to English as “The truth is more valuable if it takes you a few years to find it.” Although we do not have the exact equivalent in English, we have the idea that if something is too easy, it is easy to take it for granted.

As a mirror of what is considered the “Protestant work ethic”, consider this quote from the great French writer and philosopher Voltaire: “Work takes away three great evils: boredom, vice, and need.”
In English: “Work frees us from three great evils: boredom, vice and misery.” Don’t we in the United States have similar values ​​regarding work?

And in this quote from Banville, we see what we think is the very American idea that it is good to take risks, because “nothing is risked, nothing is gained.”
In French, “And those who do nothing are never wrong.” The English translation is “Those who never do anything can never do anything wrong.”
This quote is a good indication that the French probably place similar values ​​on stepping out of one’s comfort zone and just going for it, whether or not you are sure of the outcome and even if you are afraid to do so. Doesn’t sound so cowardly to me!

And finally, in a liftoff of our glorified American “… marching to the beat of a different drummer,” Roland has been quoted as saying “The world calls those who aren’t crazy about common insanity.” This translates as “Fools are labeled those who do not participate in common insanity.” If that’s not a call for people to follow their hearts and do the right thing, something Americans place a very high value on, I don’t know what is.