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).

Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.

You can't destroy the Poles but if you give them power they'll destroy themselves.

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.

Let us lift Germany, so to speak, into the saddle. It will certainly be able to ride. Speech to Parliament of Confederation (1867).