Otto von Bismarck BIO »Prince Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck, Duke of Lauenburg (1 April 1815 - 30 July 1898) German aristocrat and statesman; Prime Minister of Prussia (1862 -1890), First Chancellor of Germany (1871 - 1890); he is nicknamed the Iron Chancellor.
hide What we learn from history is that no one learns from history.
When you want to fool the world, tell the truth.
People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or before an election.
If there is ever another war in Europe, it will come out of some damned silly thing in the Balkans. Almost perfectly describes World War I, which occured well after his death.
Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war.
God has a special providence for fools, drunks, and the United States of America.
Politics is the art of the possible. Remark, Aug. 11, 1867.
Not by speeches and votes of the majority, are the great questions of the time decided — that was the error of 1848 and 1849 — but by iron and blood. Speech to the Prussian Diet (30 September 1862).
The main thing is to make history, not to write it.
Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.
A Bavarian is halfway between an Austrian and a human being.
You can't destroy the Poles but if you give them power they'll destroy themselves.
The secret of politics? Make a good treaty with Russia.
A really great man is known by three signs— generosity in the design, humanity in the execution, moderation in success.
A journalist is a person who has mistaken their calling.
I am accustomed to pay men back in their own coin.
The king reigns but does not govern.
With bad laws and good civil servants it's still possible to govern. But with bad civil servants even the best laws can't help.
With a gentleman I am always a gentleman and a half, and with a fraud I try to be a fraud and a half.
When a man says he approves of something in principle, it means he hasn't the slightest intention of putting it into practice.
I have seen three emperors in their nakedness, and the sight was not inspiring.
I have never lived on principles. When I have had to act, I never first asked myself on what principles I was going to act, but I went at it and did what I thought fit. I have often reproached myself for my want of principle.
I have always found the word "Europe" in the mouths of those politicians who wanted from other powers something they did not dare to demand in their own name.
Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rules of politeness.
A little caution outflanks a large cavalry.
