Otto von Bismarck quotes - page 2

Every state must be aware that its peace, its security rests on its own sword. (Otto von Bismarck)
Who is master of Bohemia is master of Europe.
Otto von Bismarck
Faust complains of having two souls in his breast. I have a whole squabbling crowd. It goes on as in a republic.
Otto von Bismarck
We Germans fear God, but nothing else in the world; and it is the fear of God, which lets us love and foster peace.
Otto von Bismarck
Europe today is a powder keg and the leaders are like men smoking in an arsenal ... A single spark will set off an explosion that will consume us all ... I cannot tell you when that explosion will occur, but I can tell you where ... Some damned foolish thing in the Balkans will set it off.
Otto von Bismarck
Crowned heads, wealth and privilege may well tremble should ever again the Black and Red unite!
Otto von Bismarck
Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.
Otto von Bismarck
Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rules of politeness.
Otto von Bismarck
The main thing is to make history, not to write it.
Otto von Bismarck
With a gentleman I am always a gentleman and a half, and with a fraud I try to be a fraud and a half.
Otto von Bismarck
The secret of politics? Make a good treaty with Russia. (Otto von Bismarck)
A statesman... must wait until he hears the steps of God sounding through events, then leap up and grasp the hem of His garment.
Otto von Bismarck
No civilization other than that which is Christian, is worth seeking or possessing.
Otto von Bismarck
An appeal to fear never finds an echo in German hearts.
Otto von Bismarck
To retain respect for sausages and laws, one must not watch them in the making.
Otto von Bismarck
A journalist is a person who has mistaken their calling.
Otto von Bismarck
Politics ruins the character.
Otto von Bismarck
Hit the Poles so hard that they despair of their life; I have full sympathy with their condition, but if we want to survive, we can only exterminate them; the wolf, too, cannot help having been created by God as he is, but people shoot him for it if they can.
Otto von Bismarck
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.
Otto von Bismarck
Let us lift Germany, so to speak, into the saddle. Surely when that is achieved, it will succeed at riding as well.
Otto von Bismarck
Be assured, we shall not go to Canossa, either bodily or spiritually. (Otto von Bismarck)
Even the most favorable outcome of the war will never lead to the decomposition of the main forces of Russia, which is based on millions of Russian ... The latter, even if they break up international treaties, just as quickly re-connect with each other, like pieces of a particle of mercury.
Otto von Bismarck
Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others.
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
A government must not waiver once it has chosen it's course. It must not look to the left or right but go forward.
Otto von Bismarck