[N]icht durch Reden und Majoritätsbeschlüsse werden die großen Fragen der Zeit entschiedenen [...] sondern durch Eisen und Blut. - Otto von Bismarck
When a man says he approves of something in principle, it means he hasn't the slightest intention of putting it into practice. - Otto von Bismarck
Laws are like sausages. It's better not to see them being made. - Otto von Bismarck
All treaties between great states cease to be binding when they come in conflict with the struggle of existence. - Otto von Bismarck
Politics are not a science based on logic; they are the capacity of always choosing at each instant, in constantly changing situations, the least harmful, the most useful. - Otto von Bismarck
Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied. - Otto von Bismarck
A really great man is known by three signs... generosity in the design, humanity in the execution, moderation in success. - Otto von Bismarck
Beware of sentimental alliances where the consciousness of good deeds is the only compensation for noble sacrifices. - Otto von Bismarck
Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable — the art of the next best - Otto von Bismarck
[Government]is cancerous in head and limbs;only its belly is sound, and the laws it excretes are the most strightforward shit in the world. - Otto von Bismarck
the main thing is to make history not to write it - Otto von Bismarck
The great questions of the day will not be settled by means of speeches and majority decisions but by iron and blood - Otto von Bismarck
Nur ein Idiot glaubt, aus eigenen Erfahrungen zu lernen. Ich ziehe es vor, aus den Erfahrungen anderer zu lernen, um von vorneherein eigene Fehler zu vermeiden. - Otto von Bismarck
man cannot control the current of events. he can only float with them and steer - Otto von Bismarck
Politics is the art of the possible. - Otto Von Bismarck
Show me an objective worthy of war and I will go along with you. - Otto Von Bismarck
A special Providence protects fools, drunkards, small children and the United States of America. - Otto von Bismarck
We live in a wondrous time, in which the strong is weak because of his scruples and the weak grows strong because of his audacity. - Otto von Bismarck
An appeal to fear never finds an echo in German hearts. - Otto von Bismarck
The secret of politics? Make a good treaty with Russia. - Otto von Bismarck
Political judgment is the ability to hear the distant hoofbeats of the horse of history. - Otto von Bismarck
People never lie so much as before an election, during a war, or after a hunt. - Otto von Bismarck
It is the destiny of the weak to be devoured by the strong. - Otto von Bismarck
Fools say that they learn by experience. I prefer to profit by others experience. - Otto von Bismarck