Otto von Bismarck quotes
Born
1 April 1815, Schönhausen, Kreis Jerichow II, Province of Saxony, Kingdom of Prussia.
Died
30 July 1898.
Occupation
Statesman.
Otto von Bismarck was a conservative Prussian statesman.
When you want to fool the world, tell the truth.
– Otto von Bismarck
Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.
– Otto von Bismarck
I have seen three emperors in their nakedness, and the sight was not inspiring.
– Otto von Bismarck
The secret of politics? Make a good treaty with Russia.
– Otto von Bismarck
Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.
– Otto von Bismarck
A journalist is a person who has mistaken their calling.
– Otto von Bismarck
To retain respect for sausages and laws, one must not watch them in the making.
– 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
People never lie so much as before an election, during a war, or after a hunt.
– Otto von Bismarck
No civilization other than that which is Christian, is worth seeking or possessing.
– Otto von Bismarck
Politics is not an exact science.
– Otto von Bismarck
Politics ruins the character.
– 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
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
It is the destiny of the weak to be devoured by the strong.
– Otto von Bismarck
Politics is the art of the next best.
– Otto von Bismarck
Whoever speaks of Europe is wrong: it is a geographical expression.
– Otto von Bismarck
Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.
– 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
The main thing is to make history, not to write it.
– Otto von Bismarck
Hounds follow those who feed them.
– Otto von Bismarck
Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others.
– Otto von Bismarck
An appeal to fear never finds an echo in German hearts.
– 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
Politics is the art of the possible.
– Otto von Bismarck