Otto von Bismarck quotes

Politics is not a science...but an art. (Otto von Bismarck)
When you want to fool the world, tell the truth.
Otto von Bismarck
Preventive war is like committing suicide out of fear of death.
Otto von Bismarck
Life has taught me to forgive much, but to seek forgiveness still more.
Otto von Bismarck
Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war.
Otto von Bismarck
Politics is the art of the next best.
Otto von Bismarck
The great questions of the time are not decided by speeches and majority decisions that was the error of 1848 and 1849 but by iron and blood.
Otto von Bismarck
There is a Providence that protects idiots, drunkards, children and the United States of America.
Otto von Bismarck
He who has his thumb on the purse has the power.
Otto von Bismarck
A conquering army on the border will not be stopped by eloquence.
Otto von Bismarck
Do not expect that once taking advantage of Russia's weakness, you will receive dividends forever. Russian has always come for their money. And when they come - do not rely on an agreement signed by you, you are supposed to justify. They are not worth the paper it is written. Therefore, with the Russian is to play fair, or do not play. (Otto von Bismarck)
Never fight with Russian. On your every stratagem they answer unpredictable stupidity.
Otto von Bismarck
Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.
Otto von Bismarck
Your map of Africa is really quite nice. But my map of Africa lies in Europe. Here is Russia, and here... is France, and we're in the middle - that's my map of Africa.
Otto von Bismarck
People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or before an election.
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
Whoever speaks of Europe is wrong: it is a geographical expression.
Otto von Bismarck
I have seen three emperors in their nakedness, and the sight was not inspiring.
Otto von Bismarck
They treat me like a fox, a cunning fellow (Schlaukopf) of the first rank. But the truth is that with a gentleman I am always a gentleman and a half, and when I have to do with a pirate, I try to be a pirate and a half.
Otto von Bismarck
All treaties between great states cease to be binding when they come in conflict with the struggle for existence.
Otto von Bismarck
My dear Professor, a war would have cost us at least 30,000 brave soldiers, and at best we should have gained nothing by it. Besides, anyone who has once looked into the glassy eyes of a dying warrior on the battle-field would think twice before beginning a war. (Otto von Bismarck)
When a man says that he approves something in principal, it means he hasn't the slightest intention of putting it in practice.
Otto von Bismarck
I grant that I am full of prejudices; I sucked them in with my mother's milk, and I cannot possibly argue them away.
Otto von Bismarck
Beware of sentimental alliances where the consciousness of good deeds is the only compensation for noble sacrifices.
Otto von Bismarck
The social insecurity of the worker is the real cause of their being a perishable to the state.
Otto von Bismarck