Speech in Thonon to a deputation of Alsace-Lorrainers (29 September 1872), quoted in Paul Deschanel, Gambetta (1920), p. 163
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Ah, they never trafficked in their blood, those two beloved provinces: it was their children whose breasts were the first to be pierced! Noble provinces, always heart and soul for France, always looking towards her flag.—"Yes, we suffer," they said, "but it is for our country's sake that we suffer, the very life-blood of the nation courses through our veins! ..." Gentlemen, I cannot go on, I cannot... It is... those provinces...
— Léon Gambetta
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "Ah, they never trafficked in their blood, those two beloved provinces: it was their children whose breasts were the first to be pierced! Noble provinces, always heart and soul for France, always looking towards her flag.—"Yes, we suffer," they said, "but it is for our country's sake that we suffer, the very life-blood of the nation courses through our veins! ..." Gentlemen, I cannot go on, I cannot... It is... those provinces..." in the context of "Speech in Thonon to a deputation of Alsace-Lorrainers (29 September 1872), quoted in Paul Deschanel, Gambetta (1920), p. 163" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Léon Gambetta" (Quotes, 1872)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 19, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
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About Léon Gambetta
Léon Gambetta (2 April 1838 – 31 December 1882) was a French lawyer and republican politician who proclaimed the French Third Republic in 1870 and played a prominent role in its early government. He was Minister of the Interior from 4 September 1870 until 6 February 1871, President of the Chamber of Deputies from 31 January 1879 until 27 October 1881, Prime Minister of France from 14 November 1881 until 30 January 1882 and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 14 November 1881 until 30 January 1882.
About Léon Gambetta
Léon Gambetta (2 April 1838 – 31 December 1882) was a French lawyer and republican politician who proclaimed the French Third Republic in 1870 and played a prominent role in its early government. He was Minister of the Interior from 4 September 1870 until 6 February 1871, President of the Chamber of Deputies from 31 January 1879 until 27 October 1881, Prime Minister of France from 14 November 1881 until 30 January 1882 and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 14 November 1881 until 30 January 1882.
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