The Constitution of France spoke of France as a `` gouvernement du peuple , par le peuple et pour le peuple '' ( `` government of the people , by the people , and for the people '' ) . This was a direct translation of Lincoln 's words . The Constitution of France ( under the Fifth Republic established in 1958 ) states that the principle of the Republic of France is `` gouvernement du peuple , par le peuple et pour le peuple '' ( `` government of the people , by the people , and for the people , '' ) a literal translation of Lincoln 's words .