Quotes from Otto von Bismarck

There are two things civilized Man should never see being made: Sausages and Laws.

We Germans fear God, but nothing else in the world; and it is the fear of God, which lets us love and foster peace.

The secret of politics? Make a good treaty with Russia.

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

Politics is not an exact science.

He who has his thumb on the purse has the power.

We Germans fear God, but nothing else in the world.

God always looks after the fools and — and the United States.

A statesman... must wait until he hears the steps of God sounding through events, then leap up and grasp the hem of His garment.

Beware of sentimental alliances where the consciousness of good deeds is the only compensation for noble sacrifices.

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

Great men have great dogs.

I am bored. The great things are done. The German Reich is made.

What we learn from History is that no one learns from History

History is simply a piece of paper covered with print: the main thing is to make history, not to write it.

The statesman's task is to hear God's footsteps marching through history, and to try and catch on to His coattails as He marches past.

To retain respect for sausages and laws, one must not watch them in the making.

Politics ruins the character.

Politics is the art of the next best.

Our German forefathers had a very kind religion. They believed that, after death, they would meet again all the good dogs that had been their companions in life. I wish I could believe that too.

Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others.

Fools say that they learn by experience. I prefer to profit by others experience.

Politics is not a science...but an art.

Politics are not a science based on logic; they are the capacity of always choosing at each instant, in constantly changing situations, the least harmful, the most useful.