"Since a politician never believes what he says, he is quite surprised to be taken at his word"

This quote by Charles de Gaulle is a commentary on the nature of political leaders and their tendency to be unreliable. It indicates that political leaders are often disingenuous in their words and declarations, and yet they are amazed when individuals take them at their word. This recommends that political leaders are not aware of the repercussions of their words, or that they are not familiar with how their words are translated by the public. It also suggests that political leaders are not held responsible for their words, as they are typically not taken seriously. This quote acts as a reminder that politicians ought to be held accountable for their words, which people must be wary of taking them at their word. It is a suggestion that politicians need to be held to a greater standard, and that their words ought to be taken seriously.