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

A government must not waiver once it has chosen its course. It must not look to the left or right but go forward.

— 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

A conquering army on the border will not be stopped by eloquence.

— Otto von Bismarck

Preventive war is like committing suicide for fear of death.

— 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

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

A statesman cannot create anything himself. He must wait and listen until he hears the steps of God sounding through events; then leap up and grasp the hem of His garment.

— Otto von Bismarck

Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.

— Otto von Bismarck

An appeal to fear never finds an echo in German hearts.

— Otto von Bismarck

The main thing is to make history, not to write it.

— 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

Politics is the art of the next best.

— Otto von Bismarck